to draw (notice, a crowd of observers, etc) to oneself by conspicuous behaviour or appearance (esp in the phrase attract attention) - (also intr)
to exert a force on (a body) that tends to cause an approach or oppose a separation: the gravitational pull of the earth attracts objects to it to possess some property that pulls or draws (something) towards itself - (also intr)
to exert a pleasing, alluring, or fascinating influence (upon); be attractive (to)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
at•tract /əˈtrækt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Physicsto cause to approach or come near;
pull:Magnets attract metal objects. - to draw by appealing to the emotions or senses:The hearings attracted a lot of publicity.
- attract is a verb, attractive is an adjective, attraction is a noun:Magnets attract iron or steel. That actress is very attractive. A feeling of attraction came over her when she met him.
at•tract
(ə trakt′),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
at•tract′a•ble, adj.
at•tract′a•ble•ness, n.
at•tract′ing•ly, adv.
at•trac′tor, at•tract′er, n.
- Physicsto draw by a physical force causing or tending to cause to approach, adhere, or unite;
pull (opposed to repel):The gravitational force of the earth attracts smaller bodies to it. - to draw by appealing to the emotions or senses, by stimulating interest, or by exciting admiration;
allure;
invite:to attract attention; to attract admirers by one's charm.
v.i.
- to possess or exert the power of attraction.
- Latin attractus drawn to (past participle of attrahere), equivalent. to at- at- + trac- (variant stem of trahere to draw) + -tus past participle suffix
- late Middle English 1400–50
at•tract′a•ble•ness, n.
at•tract′ing•ly, adv.
at•trac′tor, at•tract′er, n.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'attracted to' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
North Pole
- ace
- ambisextrous
- amphipathic
- anion
- bait-and-switch
- cation
- duck
- electrostatic precipitator
- fancy
- feeling
- heterosexual
- homosexual
- ion
- medievalist
- paedophile
- paedophilia
- pantropic
- pedophile
- scandalous
- sexual identity
- stick
- sucker
- valve
- xenophile