attract
verb
at·tract ə-ˈtrakt 
attracted; attracting; attracts
transitive verb
: to cause to approach or adhere: such as
a
: to pull to or draw toward oneself or itself
A magnet attracts iron.
b
: to draw by appeal to natural or excited interest, emotion, or aesthetic sense : entice
attract attention
The museum attracts visitors.
intransitive verb
: to exercise attraction
Opposites attract.
attractor
ə-ˈtrak-tər
noun 
Example Sentences
The company has a difficult time attracting good employees because of its poor pay and benefits. The chance to travel around the world attracted me to a career as a flight attendant. The museum attracts visitors from all over the world. The scent will attract certain insects. Certain insects are attracted by the scent. Her bright blue eyes attracted me. The bird's colorful feathers are used to attract a mate. See More
Recent Examples on the Web If employers have to give big raises to keep and attract workers, the worry is that could force them to raise prices for their own products and services. —
Stan Choe, ajc, 9 Feb. 2023 As the rivalry flared, OpenSea showed a human face to the crypto world: CEO and co-founder Devin Finzer, who had helped the company attract funding from some of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious venture capital firms. —Jessica Klein, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023 In the meantime, Light Field Lab is hoping its Aether demo will attract engineers to join the startup, which currently has around 25 full-time employees. —PCMAG, 8 Feb. 2023 But Los Angeles officials have already acknowledged the cash flow gap must be filled by public money because the buildings are not likely not attract private capital. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Microsoft, an OpenAI investor, plans to weave generative AI into its search engine in an effort to differentiate the experience from Google and attract more users. —WIRED, 7 Feb. 2023 The exterior canvas is well made and won't attract dirt, and the bag protected all cargo and showed no damage or scuffs during our durability testing. —Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023 Because opposite charges attract, Thales’ amber attracted the opposing charge found in the dust and ash. —Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 7 Feb. 2023 This much lower tax has helped Andorra attract investors from Spain and elsewhere and created a boom in real estate development, specifically from foreign investors. —Guillem Macia, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 See More
Stan Choe, ajc, 9 Feb. 2023 As the rivalry flared, OpenSea showed a human face to the crypto world: CEO and co-founder Devin Finzer, who had helped the company attract funding from some of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious venture capital firms. —Jessica Klein, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023 In the meantime, Light Field Lab is hoping its Aether demo will attract engineers to join the startup, which currently has around 25 full-time employees. —PCMAG, 8 Feb. 2023 But Los Angeles officials have already acknowledged the cash flow gap must be filled by public money because the buildings are not likely not attract private capital. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Microsoft, an OpenAI investor, plans to weave generative AI into its search engine in an effort to differentiate the experience from Google and attract more users. —WIRED, 7 Feb. 2023 The exterior canvas is well made and won't attract dirt, and the bag protected all cargo and showed no damage or scuffs during our durability testing. —Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023 Because opposite charges attract, Thales’ amber attracted the opposing charge found in the dust and ash. —Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 7 Feb. 2023 This much lower tax has helped Andorra attract investors from Spain and elsewhere and created a boom in real estate development, specifically from foreign investors. —Guillem Macia, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere, from ad- + trahere to pull, draw
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing attract
Kids Definition
attract
verb at·tract ə-ˈtrakt
1
: to pull to or toward oneself or itself
a magnet attracts iron
2
: to draw by appealing to interest or feeling
attract attention
attracts
verb
as in entices
to engage the attention of The park's natural wonders attract many tourists. The blackbird puts on a colorful display in its attempt to attract a mate. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- entices
- interests
- draws
- inspires
- captivates
- fascinates
- allures
- intrigues
- dazzles
- occupies
- bewitches
- impresses
- enthralls
- enraptures
- mesmerizes
- charms
- hypnotizes
- absorbs
- involves
- enthrals
- enthralls
- enchants
- engrosses
- ravishes
- transports
- immerses
- engages
- entrances
- stirs
- enthrals
- carries away
- busies
- affects
- involves
- reaches
- enwraps
- bemuses
- influences
- biases
- grips
- colors
- sways
- impacts
- biasses
- catches up
- touches
- strikes
- moves
- tells (on)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discourages
- deters
- dissuades
- bores
- wearies
- palls
- tires
- jades
- underwhelms