attractive
uh-TRAK-tihv
Attractive (adj) means pleasing to look at; physically appealing. Example: “She wore an attractive blue dress to the interview.”
adj
1
Pleasing to look at; physically appealing.
"She wore an attractive blue dress to the interview."
"He is an attractive man with a warm smile."
"They made an attractive couple at the wedding."
2
Appealing or desirable in a more general sense.
"The job offer came with an attractive salary."
"The shop is offering an attractive discount to new customers."
"Living by the sea is an attractive idea for many retired people."
How to use attractive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPleasing or appealing, whether describing looks, an offer, or an idea.
Common pairings
attractive offer
physically attractive
attractive price
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more attractive
- Superlative
- most attractive
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She wore an _____ blue dress to the interview.
Etymology
From Late Latin attractivus, from attrahere ("to draw toward") — the adjective form of attract.
Synonyms
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good-looking
pretty
handsome
gorgeous
alluring
appealing
appetizing
attracting
bewitching
captivating
charming
coying
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for attractive
See all rhymes for 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.
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