Meaning & use
attract
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To make someone or something come closer or show interest, often by being appealing or noticeable.
Grammar: Takes an object: attract attention, attract customers.
Patterns
- attract someone/something
- attract attention
- attract interest
The bright colors attract children's attention.
The new museum is attracting many visitors.
Her speech attracted a lot of media interest.
verbtransitive
To cause someone to feel liking, love, or sexual interest.
Grammar: Often used in the passive: be attracted to someone.
Patterns
- attract someone
- be attracted to someone
- attract someone's eye
He was attracted to her sense of humor.
The idea of living abroad attracts me.
Opposites often attract.
verbtransitivetechnical
(Of a physical force) to pull something toward itself, as a magnet does.
Grammar: Used in scientific contexts; often passive.
Patterns
- attract something
- be attracted by something
- attract iron
A magnet attracts iron filings.
The negatively charged particles are attracted to the positive plate.
Gravity attracts objects toward the earth.
Word forms
| third person singular | attracts |
|---|---|
| past tense | attracted |
| past participle | attracted |
| -ing form | attracting |
Common combinations
- attract attention
- The loud noise attracted everyone's attention.
- attract customers
- The sale is designed to attract new customers.
- be attracted to
- She is attracted to creative people.
- attract investment
- The tax breaks helped attract foreign investment.
Synonyms and how they differ
- draw
- Often interchangeable, but 'draw' can suggest a slower or more gradual pulling; 'attract' is more general.
- appeal to
- Focuses on being pleasing to someone, while 'attract' emphasizes causing them to come closer or take interest.
- lure
- Implies attracting by offering something tempting, often with a hint of deception.
Opposites
Word family
- attraction noun
- The feeling of liking or the quality of being appealing.
- attractive adjective
- Pleasing to look at or appealing.
- attractively adverb
- In a way that is pleasing or appealing.
Commonly confused: attract or attract to?
attract vs attract to
Not a separate word; remember the pattern 'attract someone to something'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Attract' is transitive and takes a direct object: a magnet attracts iron. Option A reverses the relationship; option C wrongly adds 'to'; option D uses the wrong verb form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “attract”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.