Enticing

/ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ/

adjectivemedium📊CommonDescriptive
1 meaning2 questions

Definitions

1

Attractive; alluring; tempting; causing someone or something to be strongly attracted to something, often something they shouldn't be.

/ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ/

adjectivepositivemedium
Descriptive

Attractive or tempting, often in a subtle way.

The enticing aroma of coffee filled the air.

💡 Simply: Imagine a delicious-looking dessert. When you see it, you're really tempted to eat it, right? That dessert is 'enticing' because it's so appealing and makes you want it.

👶 For kids: Something is 'enticing' if it makes you want it a lot, like a yummy candy!

More Examples

2

The job offer was enticing, with a high salary and great benefits.

3

The idea of a tropical vacation was very enticing after a long winter.

How It's Used

Advertising

"The commercial featured an enticing offer."

Culinary

"The aroma of the freshly baked bread was enticing."

Literary

"She found the forbidden knowledge enticing."

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Middle English *entisen*, from Old French *enticier* 'to set on fire, incite', from Vulgar Latin *intitiāre*, from Latin *intitiare* 'to put in', 'to initiate'.

The word 'enticing' has been used since the late 14th century, initially related to inciting or provoking.

Memory tip

Think of an ice cream vendor whose offerings are so appealing that they 'entice' you to spend your money.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to incite, to attract"

enticing offerenticing smellenticing aromaenticing prospectenticing glimpse

Common misspellings

enticinggenticingly

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written