Meaning & use
alluring
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Meanings
adjectivecomparableapproving
Strongly attractive in a way that tempts you or makes you curious.
Grammar: Goes before a noun or after be: an alluring smile, the offer was alluring.
Patterns
- alluring to someone
The alluring smell of fresh bread drew us into the shop.
The island's alluring beaches attract many visitors.
He found the idea of a quiet life alluring.
adjectivecomparable
Charming in a mysterious or romantic way that seems to promise something exciting.
Grammar: Often describes a person, voice or place with a hint of mystery.
She had an alluring voice that filled the room.
The alluring old city kept its secrets behind narrow streets.
The advertisement painted an alluring picture of luxury.
Word forms
| comparative | more alluring |
|---|---|
| superlative | most alluring |
Common combinations
- alluring prospect
- Free travel was an alluring prospect for the students.
- alluring smile
- She gave him an alluring smile.
- alluring scent
- An alluring scent came from the kitchen.
- find something alluring
- Many people find the idea of living abroad alluring.
- alluring promise
- The alluring promise of quick money fooled him.
Synonyms and how they differ
- attractive
- Attractive is plain and general, while alluring suggests a tempting, almost irresistible pull.
- tempting
- Tempting focuses on the urge to give in, often to something unwise, while alluring stresses charm.
- enticing
- Enticing is close in meaning but usually refers to something offered to draw you in, like food or a deal.
- seductive
- Seductive has a stronger romantic or manipulative flavor than alluring.
Opposites
Word family
- allure noun
- powerful attractiveness
- allure verb
- to attract or tempt
- alluringly adverb
- in an attractive, tempting way
- allurement noun
- something that attracts or tempts
Commonly confused: alluring or alluding?
alluring vs alluding
Alluding comes from allude, to refer to something indirectly, and is unrelated to attractiveness.
Practice
The travel brochure showed an ___ picture of a quiet beach at sunset.
Choose one answer.
Alluring suits a picture meant to attract and tempt. Annoying and alarming give the opposite effect, and ordinary does not match the brochure's goal.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “alluring”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.