adj
Common
appealing
uh-PEE-lihng
Appealing (adj) means Attractive or interesting; likely to draw someone's interest. Example: “The cafe's cosy corner is appealing on a cold, rainy morning.”
adj
1
Attractive or interesting; likely to draw someone's interest.
"The cafe's cosy corner is appealing on a cold, rainy morning."
"The idea of a beach holiday sounds very appealing right now."
"She gave him an appealing look, hoping he'd change his mind."
How to use appealing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAttractive or tempting — something that draws you in.
Common pairings
sound appealing
visually appealing
find something appealing
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Word forms
- Plural
- appealings
- Comparative
- more appealing
- Superlative
- most appealing
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cafe's cosy corner is _____ on a cold, rainy morning.
Etymology
From "appeal" plus "-ing."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for appealing
healing
sealing
dealing
whaling
dialing
scaling
stealing
exhaling
inhaling
pedaling
annealing
revealing
See all rhymes for appealing →
Frequently asked questions
What does “appealing” mean?
The word “appealing” means attractive or interesting; likely to draw someone's interest. In plain terms, attractive or tempting — something that draws you in.
How do you pronounce “appealing”?
“Appealing” is pronounced uh-PEE-lihng (/ʌˈpi.əl.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “appealing” in a sentence?
Here is “appealing” used in a sentence: “The idea of a beach holiday sounds very appealing right now.”
What is the opposite of “appealing”?
The opposite of “appealing” — its antonyms — is unappealing.
What part of speech is “appealing”?
“Appealing” is an adjective.
Is “appealing” a common word?
“Appealing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between appealing and attractive?
Both mean pleasing or drawing interest, but "attractive" often refers to physical or visual good looks, while "appealing" is broader and can describe ideas, offers, or qualities. An offer can be appealing without being attractive in a visual sense.
What is the difference between appealing and appalling?
Despite looking similar, they are near opposites: "appealing" means attractive or interesting, while "appalling" means shocking or dreadful. The two are easily confused in spelling but should never be mixed up in meaning.
What are common collocations with appealing?
"Appealing" often pairs with nouns like "idea," "option," "prospect," and "quality," as in "an appealing idea." It is frequently modified by adverbs such as "highly," "particularly," and "less," as in "less appealing."
Does appealing relate to the verb appeal?
Yes. "Appealing" comes from the verb "appeal" in the sense of attracting or being of interest to someone, as in "the plan appeals to me." The adjective describes something that has this drawing, interesting quality.
