First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1allure
verb al·lure \ə-ˈlu̇r\
al·luredal·lur·ing
Definition of ALLURE
transitive verb
: to entice by charm or attraction
— al·lure·ment \-ˈlu̇r-mənt\ noun
— al·lur·ing·ly adverb
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Origin of ALLURE
Middle English aluren, from Middle French alurer, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + lure, leure lure — more at lure
Related to ALLURE
Synonym Discussion of ALLURE
attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence. attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another <students attracted by the school's locale>. allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive <an alluring smile>. charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response <charmed by their hospitality>, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration <her performances captivated audiences>. fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist <a story that continues to fascinate children>. enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject <hopelessly enchanted by her beauty>.
Rhymes with ALLURE
abjure, adjure, Adour, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, cocksure, coiffure, conjure, contour, couture, demure, detour, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, impure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, manure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tambour, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure
2allure
noun
: power to attract : a quality that attracts people
Full Definition of ALLURE
: power of attraction or fascination : charm
See allure defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ALLURE
1548
Related to ALLURE
- Synonyms
- charm, animal magnetism, appeal, attractiveness, captivation, charisma, duende, enchantment, fascination, force field, glamour (also glamor), magic, magnetism, oomph, pizzazz (or pizazz), seductiveness, witchery
- Antonyms
- repulsion, repulsiveness
ALLURINGLY Defined for Kids
1allure
verb al·lure \ə-ˈlu̇r\
al·luredal·lur·ing
Definition of ALLURE for Kids
: to try to attract or influence by offering what seems to be a benefit or pleasure <Treasure hunters were allured by stories of lost riches.>
2allure
noun
Definition of ALLURE for Kids
: power to attract <the allure of fame>
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