attractions

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   places or things that people want to visit because they are interesting or enjoyable

   Grammar: Usually plural when talking about several places: The city has many attractions. The singular 'attraction' refers to one place.

   Patterns

   • tourist attractions
   • local attractions
   • visit the attractions

   The guidebook lists all the main attractions in the city.

   We spent the morning visiting the local attractions.

   The museum is one of the top attractions in the region.

2. 2nouncountable

   features or qualities that make someone or something interesting or appealing

   Grammar: Often used in the plural to talk about several appealing qualities: the attractions of city life.

   Patterns

   • the attractions of something
   • attractions of city life
   • attractions and drawbacks

   The attractions of working from home include flexibility and no commuting.

   She explained the attractions of the job to the new candidates.

   Despite its attractions, the plan had some serious problems.

3. 3nouncountable or uncountable

   the feeling of liking or being drawn to someone or something

   Grammar: Can be used as a countable noun for specific instances: the attractions between them; or uncountable: physical attraction.

   Patterns

   • attractions between people
   • the attraction of something

   The attractions between the two characters were obvious to everyone.

   He felt a strong attraction to the idea of living abroad.

   Their mutual attraction grew over time.

Word forms

Common combinations

tourist attractions

The city's tourist attractions are busiest in summer.

local attractions

The hotel provides a map of local attractions.

main attractions

The main attractions include the castle and the cathedral.

visit attractions

We visited several attractions during our trip.

Synonyms and how they differ

sights

Sights are famous or interesting places to see; attractions can also include activities and events.

draws

Draws are things that attract people, often used in a commercial sense; attractions is broader and more common for tourism.

Opposites

Word family

attract verb

To make someone or something come closer or be interested.

attractive adjective

Pleasant to look at or appealing.

attractively adverb

In a way that is appealing or pleasing.

Commonly confused: attractions or attractions vs. attraction?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “attractions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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