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verb

entice

ihn-TYS

Entice (verb) means to tempt or attract someone by offering something appealing. Example: “The bakery's smell enticed passersby to come inside.”

verb
1
To tempt or attract someone by offering something appealing.
"The bakery's smell enticed passersby to come inside."
"The company enticed new customers with a generous discount."

How to use entice

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo lure someone by making something look attractive or desirable.

Common pairings
entice customers entice someone into

Word forms

enticed past tense, entices singular

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The bakery's smell _____ passersby to come inside.

Etymology

From Old French enticier, "to stir up or excite," ultimately traced to a Latin root meaning "to set on fire."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for entice

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Frequently asked questions

What does “entice” mean?

The word “entice” means to tempt or attract someone by offering something appealing. In plain terms, to lure someone by making something look attractive or desirable.

How do you pronounce “entice”?

“Entice” is pronounced ihn-TYS (/ɪnˈtaɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “entice” in a sentence?

Here is “entice” used in a sentence: “The bakery's smell enticed passersby to come inside.”

What part of speech is “entice”?

“Entice” is a verb.

Where does the word “entice” come from?

The word “entice” comes from Latin. From Old French enticier, "to stir up or excite," ultimately traced to a Latin root meaning "to set on fire.".

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