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, luring.

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 Word Forms

• 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

Other states and countries have been luring away production from California by offering generous tax breaks and rebates.

From Los Angeles Times

Gold’s reputation as a safe haven asset has been tested again as global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions lure investors toward the ancient precious metal.

From Salon

The financial lure of a move to Saudi Arabia was clear.

From BBC

Prior to news of the breakthrough in Salah's talks with Liverpool, sources close to the Saudi Pro League held strong hopes of luring the Egyptian.

From BBC

Officials say it's not uncommon for certain staff members to offer water to big cats if they get close to the boundary of the national park to lure them back into the forest.

From BBC