attract
verb (transitive)
UK/əˈtrækt/US/əˈtrækt/
To evoke interest, attention, or desire in someone.
Example Sentences
The new movie concept attracted the attention of several studios.
His innovative ideas attracted the interest of investors.
The bright colors of the artwork attracted admiration from passersby.
The speaker's charisma attracted a large audience.
The unique design of the product attracted praise from critics.
The charity's mission attracted donations from the community.
Her impressive resume attracted job offers from top companies.
The novel's compelling storyline attracted readers worldwide.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To pull something closer or gain someone’s attention or favor through appealing qualities.“Attract” commonly means causing something or someone to gravitate closer, either literally or figuratively. Physically, magnets attract iron by exerting a magnetic force; similarly, gravity attracts masses toward each other. Figuratively, a singer’s performance might attract a large crowd, or a new idea could attract public interest. Marketers aim to attract customers by emphasizing a product’s unique features or discounts. Socially, individuals can attract friends or partners through shared interests, charismatic personalities, or other appealing traits. Overall, the concept of attraction implies a force—tangible or intangible—that makes a target move closer, pay attention, or engage, rather than remain indifferent or distant.
Alternatives
Depending on the scenario, synonyms include “draw,” “entice,” “lure,” “appeal to,” or “captivate.” “Draw” highlights a pulling effect, “entice” and “lure” underline the promise or temptation that leads one to approach, while “appeal to” focuses on sparking interest. “Captivate” suggests a deeper hold on attention, often with a strong emotional or intellectual response. Each alternative nuances how strong or subtle the pull is, and whether it’s physical, emotional, or intellectual.
Writing
When writing about attraction in a physical sense—like magnets or gravitational fields—provide specifics on the forces or laws involved (electromagnetic principles, Newton’s law of universal gravitation). In marketing or psychology contexts, you might examine how products, services, or ideas attract consumers. For instance, “This campaign aims to attract a younger demographic by showcasing eco-friendly packaging.” If discussing interpersonal appeal, describe what qualities or behaviors elicit people’s interest—like confidence, wit, or kindness. In scientific or technical documents, define the forces or signals that lead to attraction, ensuring clarity on the mechanisms. In creative works, “attract” can metaphorically illustrate how a character’s charm draws in others, or how an event magnetizes attention from across a city. Providing context—scientific, social, or emotional—clarifies both why and how attraction occurs.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “attract” appears when talking about drawing attention or interest: “This new café really attracts a weekend crowd,” or “He’s hoping to attract investors for his startup.” If friends mention relationships, they might say, “She’s attracted to his sense of humor,” or “I’m trying to dress in a way that attracts potential employers at the career fair.” You can also hear references to magnetism: “The fridge magnets attract the metal tray,” though that’s more of a direct observation than casual talk. Generally, “attract” can also crop up whenever one aims to pull in resources or people—like “We want to attract volunteers,” or “I’m hoping my performance will attract some industry attention.”
Etymology
“Attract” stems from the Latin “attrahere,” literally “to draw to,” formed by “ad-” (to) plus “trahere” (to pull or draw). Over time, the notion of pulling something toward oneself—physically or metaphorically—passed through Old French into Middle English, preserving the concept of an enticing or compelling force. While in science it refers to forces pulling objects together, in daily language it expanded to mental or emotional appeal. Today, “attract” retains that core sense of drawing something or someone in—whether it’s a physical object succumbing to a pull or a person gravitating toward an appealing idea, person, or product.
