lure

[ loor ]

noun

1. anything that attracts, entices, or allures.

   Synonyms: temptation

2. the power of attracting or enticing.
3. a decoy; live or especially artificial bait used in fishing or trapping.
4. Falconry. a feathered decoy for attracting a hawk, swung at the end of a long line and sometimes baited with raw meat.
5. a flap or tassel dangling from the dorsal fin of pediculate fishes, as the angler, that attracts prey to the mouth region.

verb (used with object)

, lured, lur·ing.

1. to attract, entice, or tempt; allure.

   Synonyms: seduce

   Antonyms: repel

2. to draw or recall (especially a falcon), as by a lure or decoy.

lure

/ lʊə /

verb

1. sometimes foll byaway or into to tempt or attract by the promise of some type of reward
2. falconry to entice (a hawk or falcon) from the air to the falconer by a lure

noun

1. a person or thing that lures
2. angling any of various types of brightly-coloured artificial spinning baits, usually consisting of a plastic or metal body mounted with hooks and trimmed with feathers, etc See jig plug spoon
3. falconry a feathered decoy to which small pieces of meat can be attached and which is equipped with a long thong

Derived Forms

• ˈlurer, noun

Other Words From

• lurement noun
• lurer noun
• luring·ly adverb
• un·lured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lure¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French luere ( French leurre ), from Frankish lothr- (unrecorded); cognate with Middle High German luoder, German Luder “bait”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lure¹

C14: from Old French loirre falconer's lure, from Germanic; related to Old English lathian to invite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in lure, Heraldry. noting a pair of wings joined with the tips downward.

Example Sentences

The reports suggest the lure of money - with 40 £1m-a-season contracts reportedly on offer for marquee players - and greater periods of rest, will attract big names.

From BBC

The University of Florida had lured the senator with an unusual $10 million, five-year contract, possibly the most lucrative ever for a public university president.

From New York Times

If Sternberg follows through on his threat, the cities waiting for an MLB expansion process instead could scramble to lure the Rays.

From Los Angeles Times

Or maybe when further viewing figures are officially released, organisers will begin planning the next boxing-entertainment crossover to lure in the masses.

From BBC

For Tyson, perhaps the lure of the limelight was too much to stay away from, and the several millions also provided added motivation.

From BBC