attract
Americanverb (used with object)
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to draw by a physical force causing or tending to cause to approach, adhere, or unite; pull (opposed to repel).
The gravitational force of the earth attracts smaller bodies to it.
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to draw by appealing to the emotions or senses, by stimulating interest, or by exciting admiration; allure; invite.
to attract attention; to attract admirers by one's charm.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to draw (notice, a crowd of observers, etc) to oneself by conspicuous behaviour or appearance (esp in the phrase attract attention )
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(also intr) to exert a force on (a body) that tends to cause an approach or oppose a separation
the gravitational pull of the earth attracts objects to it
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to possess some property that pulls or draws (something) towards itself
jam attracts wasps
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(also intr) to exert a pleasing, alluring, or fascinating influence (upon); be attractive (to)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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attractablenessnoun
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attracternoun
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attractornoun
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attractableadjective
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unattractableadjective
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unattractedadjective
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unattractingadjective
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attractinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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attractsimple
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attractssimple
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have attractedperfect
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has attractedperfect
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am attractingprogressive
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are attractingprogressive
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is attractingprogressive
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have been attractingperfect progressive
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has been attractingperfect progressive
Past
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attractedsimple
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had attractedperfect
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was attractingprogressive
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were attractingprogressive
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had been attractingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of attract
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin attractus “drawn toward,” past participle of attrahere “to draw toward,” from at- at- + trahere “to draw, drag, pull”
Explanation
To attract is to exert a force that draws something in, like the way a magnet attracts a paper clip. You might know the phrase, "opposites attract." This means you might be drawn to a personality type that is completely unlike yours. With attract comes the sense that the pull you feel towards someone or something is not entirely voluntary. It's quite possible to say that you are attracted to someone, but you don't really like them. Low prices can attract buyers into a store they would not normally go into, and standing on a street corner screaming loudly will probably attract quite a bit of attention, but not the good kind.
Vocabulary lists containing attract
Electricity and Magnetism - Introductory
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"Return to Titanic" and "Talking with Robert Ballard"
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Force, Motion, and Energy
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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.
“We need to do more than just attract manufacturing and build out agriculture in our state,” Pritzker said in an interview.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026
His 10 goals in the first half of the 2025-26 season were enough to attract the attention of one of the greatest managers in the game's history - Pep Guardiola.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
Employers sometimes offer equity-based compensation in pay packages to attract high-quality candidates without depleting the company’s immediate operational cash.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026
Big equity offerings are normally priced at a discount to the market price to attract investors and offset any potential drop in the price caused by the issuance of new stock.
From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026
Why was she trying to attract their attention?
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
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.
