attractive

adjective

at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce attractive (audio)
Synonyms of attractive
1
a
: arousing interest or pleasure : charming
an attractive smile
b
: appealing
an attractive offer
2
: having or relating to the power to attract
attractive forces between molecules
attractively adverb
attractiveness noun

Examples of attractive in a Sentence

An attractive woman greeted us at the door. The camera has many attractive features at a very attractive price.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After years of pruning, the shrub may be misshapen and will never look attractive again. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026 Girona’s relegation, along with an attractive buyout clause in his contract, means a healthy queue is already forming. Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Nieuw Bergen presents an innovative and attractive approach to inner-city housing, demonstrating how housing developments can be introduced without overwhelming the character of an existing neighborhood. Bridget Borgobello july 04, New Atlas, 4 July 2026 JPMorgan updated its list of top ideas from its own analysts for the month of July, adding a stock that pays an attractive dividend. Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for attractive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attractif, attractive "drawing out foreign matter from the body, able to ingest nutriments," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French attractif, attratif, borrowed from Late Latin attractīvus "capable of attracting, drawing toward itself," from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere "to draw with force, compel to come" + -īvus -ive — more at attract

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of attractive was circa 1540

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attractive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attractive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

attractive

adjective
at·​trac·​tive ə-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce attractive (audio)
: having the power or quality of attracting
especially : charming, pleasing
attractively adverb
attractiveness noun

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