entice
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- enticement noun
- enticer noun
- enticing adjective
- enticingly adverb
- enticingness noun
- unenticed adjective
Etymology
Origin of entice
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English enticen, from Old French enticier “to incite,” from unattested Vulgar Latin intitiāre, equivalent to Latin in- in- 2 + -titiāre, verbal derivative of unattested titius, for titiō “piece of burning wood”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Ada Louise Huxtable’s architecture writing, buildings whirl off their footings and built interiors entice us to dance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
The Colleen Hoover-verse is designed to entice the reader or viewer looking for something that feels good and is easily digestible, without necessarily being unique.
From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026
The idea is to leverage empty storefronts to build buzz and entice more shoppers to city sidewalks.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026
The pair refer to the increased celebrity presence at events as a "gateway" to entice casual viewers to commit fully to the sport.
From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026
Each day Brannon ran three miles, worked out on the punching bag in the gym, and boxed a few rounds with anyone he could insult or entice into the ring with him.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
