attract

1 direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes; "Her good looks attract the stares of many men"; "The ad pulled in many potential customers"; "This pianist pulls huge crowds"; "The store owner was happy that the ad drew in many new customers" [syn: pull, pull in, draw, draw in] [ant: repel]

2 exert a force on (a body) causing it to approach or prevent it from moving away; "the gravitational pull of a planet attracts other bodies"

3 be attractive to; "The idea of a vacation appeals to me"; "The beautiful garden attracted many people" [syn: appeal] [ant: repel]

English

Etymology

• From Latin attractum, past participle of attrahere.

Verb

1. To pull toward without touching

   A magnet attracts iron filings

2. To arouse interest or desire

   Advertising is designed to attract customers

3. To bring upon oneself

   Bizarre behavior is sure to attract attention

Related terms

• attraction
• attractive
• attractor

Antonyms

• repel

Translations

• Czech: přitahovat
• German: anziehen (1, 2)
• Japanese: 引きつける (hikitsukeru)
• Dutch: aantrekken (1, 2)
• Korean: 끌다 (kkeulda)
• Telugu: ఆకర్షించు (aakarshinchu) (1, 2, 3)

adduct, affect the interest, allure, appeal, appeal to, be attractive, be magnetic, becharm, beckon, beguile, bewitch, captivate, carry away, charm, concern, court, drag, draw, draw in, draw on, draw towards, enamor, enchant, endear, engage, enrapture, entice, entrance, excite, excite interest, fascinate, fetch, have an attraction, hold in thrall, infatuate, inflame with love, interest, intrigue, inveigle, invite, involve in, lure, magnet, magnetize, pique, provoke, pull, pull towards, seduce, solicit, stimulate, suck in, summon, take, tantalize, tease, tempt, tickle, titillate, tug, vamp, whet the appetite, wile