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attractive

attractive

680 1.0
Pleasing to look at or enjoy and making people interested
  • adjective
  • /əˈtræktɪv/
translation icon : atractivo
  • The new smartphone has an attractive design that catches everyone's eye.
  • more attractive
  • physically attractive
  • make attractive

You know, so you sound attractive to me and onward.

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Examples

  • So that might be something which is attractive to investors.

  • What is it that you find so attractive about my daughter?

  • I always find people so much more attractive off TV.

  • Yes, sir, we have three very attractive young ladies here today.

  • Because in another 50 years I may not find him as attractive as I do now.

  • His wife is very attractive.

  • The program was highly rated by participants and recognized as an attractive program for senior citizens.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The business environment has become attractive to foreign corporations seeking regional and international headquarters.

    Academic text (2008)
  • There's something very attractive about an older man.

  • For example, women who are rated as attractive have better job opportunities, promotions, and evaluations.

    Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

handsome
vsattractive
627 1.0

Being attractive, like a tall man or an elegant room

is more general and not limited by gendered traditional ideals
charming
vsattractive
418 1.0

Pleasant and attractive in a way that people like

is more general, covering qualities that appeal to the senses or mind
good-looking
vsattractive
278 1.2

Having a nice face or body that people find attractive

is broader, also covering mental or nonvisual forms of appeal
stunning
vsattractive
210 3.7

Very beautiful and impressive to look at

is milder and describes common appeal rather than dramatic impact
appealing
vsattractive
138 2.3

Makes people like it, for example a friendly smile or a new idea

is broader, covering more senses and qualities that cause interest
desirable
vsattractive
121 3.2

Worth having because many people want it

emphasizes being wanted or useful rather than general sensory appeal
irresistible
vsattractive
88 3.8

Too attractive to refuse

is less extreme, covering ordinary pleasing features
pleasing
vsattractive
63 2.0

Giving a pleasant feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction

is about sensory and desirability qualities rather than pleasure alone
enticing
vsattractive
25 4.9

Attractive and likely to make you want something

is more general and does not always imply tempting desire
alluring
vsattractive
24 5.2

Very attractive in a way that makes people feel interested or want it

is the general term for pleasing qualities rather than intense pull
fine-looking
vsattractive
21 2.0

Having an attractive appearance

is broader and not limited to ideal shape or proportion
agreeable
vsattractive
18 1.0

Pleasant to be with or to experience

is broader, applying to sensory, intellectual, or desirability aspects
captivating
vsattractive
14 4.2

Holding people's attention because it is pleasant and interesting

is broader, including milder forms of interest and appeal
engaging
vsattractive
12 3.5

Holding your attention because it is pleasant or interesting

is more general and not only about holding attention
lovely
vsattractive
9 1.1

A person or thing that is attractive and makes you happy

is the wider term covering many types of sensory or mental appeal
comely
vsattractive
  • Archaic
5 7.4

Pleasant to look at in a simple, natural way

is broader, covering all pleasing qualities, not only wholesome looks
beauteous
vsattractive
  • Archaic
5 9.9

Pleasant to look at, often in a gentle or graceful way

is more general and less literary, applying beyond poetic usage
fetching
vsattractive
2 4.8

Attractive in a way that makes people notice it

is a broader word for things that please or interest people
fanciable
vsattractive
  • UK
7.4

Attractive in a way that makes people like someone or something

is broader, applying to things and qualities beyond persons
sightly
vsattractive
7.1

Pleasant to look at

is more general, covering other senses and mental interest

Antonyms

37 1.8

Not pleasant to look at or to the senses

Compounds

3 5.4

To make other people want to have sex

A part of something that people like or notice

1 8.6

A dangerous thing on a property, like an unfenced pool or trampoline, that attracts children and can hurt them

attractive force
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A pull that makes two things move toward each other, like gravity or magnets

How Attractive

stunning
210 3.7
beautiful
1.0
good-looking
278 1.2
attractive
680 1.0
appealing
138 2.3

Surface Forms

attractive positive

Morphology

attractive = attract (transparent) = attract + ive

The adjective 'attractive' is transparently derived from the verb 'attract' by adding the suffix '-ive', indicating a quality or tendency.

Etymology

Attractive comes from an old Latin root tract meaning 'to pull', the same root you see in tractor. So something attractive 'pulls' people in with its looks or its qualities.