Word
allure
Phoneticsal·lure, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈɫʊɹ/
UK/ɐlˈɔː/
Definitions
01attraction
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being attractive, exciting, or interesting in a way that makes you want to have something.
n. the power to entice or attract through a quality of fascination or mystery.
“The allure of working in a big city often fades after a few months of commuting.”
“Despite the inherent risks of the expedition, the allure of discovering an untouched ecosystem proved too great for the researchers to resist.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to attract
C2 · Proficiency Literary
v. to attract or tempt someone by offering something pleasant.
v. to entice or attract someone, often by offering a reward or a pleasant prospect; functions transitively.
“The promise of high profits allured many investors into the risky scheme.”
“The sirens were said to allure sailors toward the jagged rocks with their hauntingly beautiful songs.”
03castle walkway
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical · Archaic
n. a path for walking along the top of a castle wall.
n. a walkway or wall walk along the top of a fortification, typically protected by a parapet.
“The guards patrolled the allure of the castle throughout the night.”
“Restoration experts focused on stabilizing the allure, ensuring the medieval wall walk was safe for modern tourists to traverse.”
Real-World Examples
“Zhang knows the allure of rare books, occasionally pausing her work to read parts of the titles she scans.” “Honeypots use their sexual allure to gather information, recruit assets, and set up blackmail stings.” Etymology
From Middle English aluren, from Old French aleurer, alurer, from a (“to, towards”) (Latin ad) + leurre (“lure”). Compare lure.
From Middle English alure, alour, from Old French alure, aleure (“walk, gait”), from aler (“to go”) + -ure.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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