Allure

/əˈlʊər/

nounIntermediate📊CommonAttraction
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The power to attract, fascinate, or charm; the quality of being attractive or fascinating.

/əˈlʊər/

nounpositiveIntermediate
Attraction

The power to attract or fascinate.

The allure of the open road called to her.

💡 Simply: Something attractive or fascinating.

More Examples

2

The painting possessed a certain dark allure.

How It's Used

Marketing

"The allure of a new product launch is undeniable."

Literature

"The ancient city held a mysterious allure."

2

To attract or tempt irresistibly; to entice.

/əˈlʊər/

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To attract or tempt irresistibly.

The promise of wealth allured many investors.

💡 Simply: To attract strongly.

More Examples

2

The beautiful scenery allured tourists from all over the world.

How It's Used

Fiction

"The siren song allured the sailors to their doom."

Tip:Remember the 'lure' in allure – a lure is something that attracts.

From Old French *alurer, from aler 'to go, to entice'. The word's meaning has evolved from simply 'to entice' to emphasize the seductive quality of the enticement.

Historically, 'allure' was often used in contexts involving deception or danger, reflecting its origins in the idea of enticement that could lead to negative consequences.

Memory tip

Think of 'alluring' – something that allures is attractive.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to entice, to attract"

Base: allure
irresistible allureexotic alluremysterious allurefatal allure

Common misspellings

alurealueralurre

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written