attraction

noun

at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
1
a
: the act, process, or power of attracting
b
: personal charm
2
: the action or power of drawing forth a response : an attractive quality
3
: a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation
4
: something that attracts or is intended to attract people by appealing to their desires and tastes
coming attractions
Choose the Right Synonym for attraction

attraction, affinity, sympathy mean the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together.

attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

Examples of attraction in a Sentence

The waterfall continues to be the main attraction at the park. The town's big attraction for movie lovers is the annual film festival. She is the star attraction of the show. There's a strong sexual attraction between them. His attraction to her grew over the course of their time together. A good relationship is based on more than just physical attraction. I understand the attraction of skydiving, but I could never do it. What are the attractions of owning your own business?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The draft will be available daily at Waterway Grill Patio, located beyond the Infinity Falls attraction, from 11 a.m. until one hour before park close. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025 Running from January 21 through February 9 on select days, over 60 participating attractions across the five boroughs are offering two-for-one tickets, including some of the best museums and art galleries in the city. Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025 In the end, the attractions of power were too strong. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 11 Jan. 2025 And through Saturday, their massive, 1,000-pound butter sculpture of a cow will be one of the main attractions at the Pennsylvania Farm Show − enough butter to make 96,000 pancakes, according to the American Dairy Association North East. Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for attraction 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attraccioun "(in medicine) drawing of diseased matter to the surface, extraction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French atraction "(in medicine) drawing in of breath, suction," borrowed from Late Latin attractiōn-, attractiō "act of attracting or contracting" (Medieval Latin also "drawing towards, enticement, usurpation"), from Latin attrac-, variant stem of attrahere "to draw with force, compel to come" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at attract

First Known Use

circa 1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of attraction was circa 1575

Dictionary Entries Near attraction

Cite this Entry

“Attraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attraction. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

attraction

noun
at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
1
: the act, process, or power of attracting
2
: something that attracts or pleases
3
: a force acting between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation

Medical Definition

attraction

noun
at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
: a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation
attract transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on attraction

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