Entice

/ɪnˈtaɪs/

verbmedium📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

1

To attract or tempt someone or something, typically by offering something desirable.

/ɪnˈtaɪs/

verbpositivemedium
General

To attract or tempt someone or something.

The delicious aroma of freshly baked bread enticed people to enter the bakery.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're offering someone a delicious cookie to get them to do what you want. You're enticing them! Like, "I'll give you this cookie if you help me with my homework!"

👶 For kids: To try to get someone to do something by offering something fun or yummy!

More Examples

2

The promise of a free vacation enticed many people to sign up for the timeshare.

3

Clever marketing can entice customers to buy products.

How It's Used

Advertising

"Advertisements often use vibrant imagery to entice customers."

Social Interactions

"She tried to entice her friend to go to the party with promises of fun and music."

Literature

"The siren song enticed sailors to their doom."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

enticing offer

An offer that is attractive and tempting.

"The company made an enticing offer that convinced him to accept the job."

be enticed

to be tempted or attracted

"She was enticed by the offer of a higher salary."

From Old French *enticier* 'to set on fire, incite', later meaning 'to attract'. Ultimately from Vulgar Latin *intitiāre*, from Latin *incitare* 'to urge on, excite'.

The word 'entice' has been used in literature and everyday speech since the 13th century to describe attraction or temptation.

Memory tip

Think of ice cream: a delicious treat that will entice you to eat more.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to attract, to lure"

entice someoneentice customersentice with promisesenticing offer

Common misspellings

inticeentise

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written