verb
tempt
tehmpt
verb
1
To try to get someone to do something, often something unwise, usually by making it look appealing.
"The smell of fresh bread tempted him to buy a loaf he didn't need."
"Don't tempt fate by leaving the door unlocked."
How to Use Tempt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make someone want to do something, especially something they probably shouldn't.
Common pairings
tempt someone into
tempted to
tempt fate
Word Forms
tempted past tense, tempts singular
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The smell of fresh bread _____ him to buy a loaf he didn't need.
Etymology
From Old French tempter, from Latin temptare ("to test, try, handle"), a frequentative form of tendere ("to stretch").