attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv 

1

a

: arousing interest or pleasure : charming

an attractive smile

b

: appealing

an attractive offer

2

: having or relating to the power to attract

attractive forces between molecules

attractively adverb

attractiveness noun

Synonyms

• alluring
• appealing
• bewitching
• captivating
• charismatic
• charming
• elfin
• enchanting
• engaging
• entrancing
• fascinating
• fetching
• glamorous
• glamourous
• luring
• magnetic
• seductive

Examples of attractive in a Sentence

An attractive woman greeted us at the door.

The camera has many attractive features at a very attractive price.

Recent Examples on the Web

Take a look at more below: Walmart, a big-box retailer popular among a wide range of consumers, has been especially attractive amid concerns about inflation, high grocery prices and the direction of the U.S. economy. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025

The mule’s pointed open toe design, too, will look supremely attractive when peeking out from your wide-leg trousers or pleated maxi skirt. —Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025

Voters found this familiar message attractive during the roaring 20s—as the economy boomed and society thrived, there seemed little reason to shift gears politically. —Justin Peck / Made By History, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025

Our expert reviewed a similar Acer Nitro V model with a lesser processor and GPU and called out the attractive price and lengthy battery life. —Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attractif, attractive "drawing out foreign matter from the body, able to ingest nutriments," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French attractif, attratif, borrowed from Late Latin attractīvus "capable of attracting, drawing toward itself," from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere "to draw with force, compel to come" + -īvus -ive — more at attract

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for attractive

• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• reactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Kids Definition

attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv 

: having the power or quality of attracting

especially : charming, pleasing

attractively adverb

attractiveness noun