Word
alluring
Phoneticsal·lur·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈɫʊɹɪŋ/
UK/ɐlˈɔːɹɪŋ/
Definition
adj. describing something that is very attractive, exciting, or mysterious. You use this when something makes you want to go near it or have it.
adj. highly attractive or charming, often in a way that suggests mystery or excitement. Typically used to describe qualities of a person, place, or prospect.
Examples
“The smell of fresh bread was very alluring.”
“The travel brochure featured alluring photos of white sandy beaches and turquoise water.”
“Despite the risks involved, the alluring prospect of a high-paying career in the city convinced him to leave his quiet hometown.”
Examples
simple
“The smell of fresh bread was very alluring.”
contextual
“The travel brochure featured alluring photos of white sandy beaches and turquoise water.”
complex
“Despite the risks involved, the alluring prospect of a high-paying career in the city convinced him to leave his quiet hometown.”
Usage
Often used as a participial adjective; it can appear both before a noun or after a linking verb like 'seem' or 'look'.
Real-World Examples
“You could argue that these physical qualities actually make books more alluring than they were in the days before the internet and social media.” “There’s an alluring tint of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to this artist’s recent works.” Etymology
By surface analysis, allure + -ing.
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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