attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce attractive (audio)
Synonyms of attractive
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 of attractive

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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
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.
And the more anxious students become about their career prospects, the more attractive banks and banking clubs become. — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Like that film, this new movie finds most of its sexiness in the chemistry and playful banter between its attractive stars. — David MacK, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 That would mark a dramatic pickup from just $235 million in the first quarter and signal that the company saw its shares as increasingly attractive following a pullback. — Yun Li, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 Designed by Poland's Mini Domy, the Mini House 300 x 700 is based on a double-axle trailer and features similar styling to the firm's previous models, with an attractive exterior finished in metal, and timber accenting. — New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attractive

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of attractive was circa 1540

Rhymes for attractive

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Browse Nearby Words

attraction sphere
attractive
attractor
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Cite this Entry

“Attractive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attractive. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

attractive

adjective
at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce attractive (audio)
: having the power or quality of attracting
especially : charming, pleasing
attractively adverb
attractiveness noun

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