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Synonyms

allure

American  
[uh-loor] / əˈlʊər /

verb (used with object)

allured, alluring

  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)

allured, alluring

  1. to be attractive or tempting.

noun

  1. fascination; charm; appeal.

    Synonyms:
    attraction, glamour
allure British  
/ əˈlʊə, əˈljʊə /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. attractiveness; appeal

    the cottage's allure was its isolation
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • allurement noun
  • allurer noun
  • unallured adjective

Etymology

Origin of allure

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

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.

The Goldman Sachs note published Monday reasserted its belief in the inflation-hedging/ safe-haven allure of gold that Thomas thinks will gradually reassert itself.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

It didn’t have the allure of, say, 2014, when a congressman threw a hot tub party.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Gosling is typically terrific, but “Project Hail Mary” is practically tailor-made for his brand of disarming allure.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

For one participant, Monica Estrada, the full-day commitment is part of the allure.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

Still, as grinding as the routine became, the allure of the lab remained strong.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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.