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appealing

appealing

138 2.3
Makes people like it, for example a friendly smile or a new idea
  • adjective
  • /əˈpiːlɪŋ/
translation icon : atractivo
  • The colorful artwork on display was truly appealing to visitors of all ages.
  • very appealing
  • more appealing
  • an appealing option

OK, That doesn't sound really appealing, does it?

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Examples

  • Does this make the App Store less appealing to new developers?

  • Does that sound appealing to you?

  • And that is therefore appealing in terms of content.

  • And he says that this is not very appealing to many people.

  • An appealing path, to be sure.

  • Now, this last idea actually seemed the most appealing, because, in fact, it required the least amount of effort.

  • I think what makes Care Bears so appealing is their sweet nature.

  • Such involvement can make history more appealing to students and engage them in critical thinking.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Rigorous study of music history is an appealing and effective component of the curriculum.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The bulletin board display needs to be appealing, neat, clear, and meaningful to pupils.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

cute
vsappealing
1.0

Attractive in a small, pretty, or charming way

is wider, including attractiveness not linked to youth or smallness
attractive
vsappealing
680 1.0

Pleasing to look at or enjoy and making people interested

is broader, also including feelings of sympathy or affection
fascinating
vsappealing
577 2.0

Very interesting in a way that keeps your attention

is milder, covering general attractiveness and friendly feelings
charming
vsappealing
418 1.0

Pleasant and attractive in a way that people like

is similar but also covers simple interest or mild approval
desirable
vsappealing
121 3.2

Worth having because many people want it

focuses more on creating positive feelings rather than value or want
irresistible
vsappealing
88 3.8

Too attractive to refuse

is less forceful, able to inspire positive feelings but not overpowering
likable
vsappealing
  • US
72 1.0

Pleasant and friendly that makes other people feel warm toward you

adds the sense of inspiring sympathy or deeper affection
pleasing
vsappealing
63 2.0

Giving a pleasant feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction

focuses more on inspiring positive feelings like sympathy or affection
endearing
vsappealing
31 3.5

Causing people to like someone because they are cute or kind

is broader, also including nonaffectionate interest or general appeal
enticing
vsappealing
25 4.9

Attractive and likely to make you want something

is more neutral, including non tempting interest or gentle liking
alluring
vsappealing
24 5.2

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

is milder, often inspiring simple positive feelings rather than strong desire
sympathetic
vsappealing
  • Literature
23 3.9

Causing people to feel pity or support for a character

is broader, creating general positive feelings beyond pity or compassion
agreeable
vsappealing
18 1.0

Pleasant to be with or to experience

emphasizes ability to inspire feelings such as sympathy or affection
captivating
vsappealing
14 4.2

Holding people's attention because it is pleasant and interesting

is less intense, covering ordinary attractiveness and mild interest
engaging
vsappealing
12 3.5

Holding your attention because it is pleasant or interesting

is broader, covering simple attractiveness beyond attention holding
lovely
vsappealing
9 1.1

A person or thing that is attractive and makes you happy

is more general, including less emotional or milder appeal
winsome
vsappealing
5 7.8

Pleasant and charming in a simple, innocent way

covers appeal from many sources, not only innocence or youthfulness
comely
vsappealing
  • Archaic
5 7.4

Pleasant to look at in a simple, natural way

includes other kinds of attractiveness beyond wholesome appearance
fetching
vsappealing
2 4.8

Attractive in a way that makes people notice it

is more general, including nonvisual or quieter forms of appeal
likeable
vsappealing
  • UK
1 1.0

Nice and friendly so people feel warm toward you

places more weight on being interesting or inspiring positive feelings

Antonyms

15 4.1

Not attractive, pleasant, or interesting

How Appealing

enchanting
22 3.7
charming
418 1.0
attractive
680 1.0
appealing
138 2.3
plain
50 2.5

Surface Forms

appealing positive
appealier comparative
appealiest superlative

Morphology

appealing = appeal (transparent) = appeal + ing

The adjective is a regular participial/adjectival formation from the verb 'appeal' meaning 'to attract', so learners who know 'appeal' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Appealing comes from the Latin appellare meaning 'to call'. When something 'calls' to you it gets your attention or your feelings, so appealing means attractive or interesting.