allure

[ uh-loor ]

verb (used with object)

, al·lured, al·lur·ing.

1. to attract or tempt by something flattering or desirable.

   Synonyms: lure, entice

2. to fascinate; charm.

   Synonyms: captivate, entrance, enchant

verb (used without object)

, al·lured, al·lur·ing.

1. to be attractive or tempting.

noun

1. fascination; charm; appeal.

   Synonyms: attraction, glamour

allure

/ əˈlʊə; əˈljʊə /

verb

1. tr to entice or tempt (someone) to a person or place or to a course of action; attract

noun

1. attractiveness; appeal

   the cottage's allure was its isolation

Derived Forms

• alˈlurement, noun
• alˈlurer, noun

Other Words From

• al·lurer noun
• unal·lured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of allure¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English aluren, from Middle French alurer, from a- a- ⁵ + lurer “to lure”; lure

Word History and Origins

Origin of allure¹

C15: from Old French alurer, from lure bait, lure

Example Sentences

It all percolates in the shadowy urban allure of Paul Guilhaume’s cinematography, especially as it plays across its leading ladies’ faces, turning skin into a mood palette, burnishing all the musical interludes.

From Los Angeles Times

An executive director who knows the talking points, he speaks less of its bucolic allure than its economic benefit.

From Los Angeles Times

Sprinkled through the crowd like “Where’s Waldo” are the Chalamet look-alikes, reporters clambering to grab interviews and eventgoers enraptured with the allure of the Timmy variants.

From Salon

Others emphasized the allure of returning to nature and immersing oneself in a more “primitive way of being.”

From Slate

Drawn by curiosity and the allure of the shiny new arena, they couldn’t resist catching a glimpse of the arena of the future.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beguile
• bewitch
• captivate
• enchant