attractive
6 antonyms and opposites of attractive, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Pleasing to look at; physically appealing.
Antonyms
How to use attractive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin attractivus, from attrahere ("to draw toward") — the adjective form of attract.
Full origin of attractive →Frequently asked questions
What does “attractive” mean?
The word “attractive” means pleasing to look at; physically appealing. In plain terms, pleasing or appealing, whether describing looks, an offer, or an idea.
How do you pronounce “attractive”?
“Attractive” is pronounced uh-TRAK-tihv (/əˈtɹæktɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “attractive” in a sentence?
Here is “attractive” used in a sentence: “She wore an attractive blue dress to the interview.”
What is another word for “attractive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “attractive” include alluring, appealing, appetizing, attracting, bewitching and captivating.
What is the opposite of “attractive”?
The opposite of “attractive” — its antonyms — are repulsive, ugly, unattractive, repelling and unalluring.
What part of speech is “attractive”?
“Attractive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “attractive” come from?
The word “attractive” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin attractivus, from attrahere ("to draw toward") — the adjective form of attract.
Is “attractive” a common word?
“Attractive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'attractive' and 'beautiful'?
'Attractive' means pleasing to look at and appealing enough to draw your interest, but it is a moderate word. 'Beautiful' is stronger, suggesting a striking, near-perfect beauty. Someone can be attractive without being classically beautiful — attractive covers charm and appeal, while beautiful points to a higher, more absolute standard.
Can 'attractive' describe things other than people?
Yes. Although it often describes physical appearance, 'attractive' can apply to anything appealing or tempting — an attractive offer, an attractive design, an attractive salary. In these cases it means something draws you in or is worth wanting, not that it is literally pretty to look at.
Is 'attractive' a compliment?
Generally, yes. Calling a person attractive is positive, meaning they are pleasant and appealing to look at. It tends to sound a little milder and more measured than 'gorgeous' or 'stunning,' but it is still flattering. Tone and context decide just how strong the compliment feels.