ENGLISH
REFERENCE

attract

v.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //əˈtɹækt// UK //ɐtɹˈækt// at·tract General-service

v. to pull something toward you or to make someone interested in something. You use this when a magnet pulls metal or when a person's personality makes others like them.

v. to exert a force that draws an object closer; figuratively, to evoke interest, admiration, or attention from others. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the entity being drawn or influenced.


SIMPLE

Bright flowers attract many bees in the summer.

CONTEXTUAL

The new museum exhibit is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the country this weekend.

COMPLEX

While the physical properties of the magnet allow it to attract iron filings, the marketing campaign aims to attract a more sophisticated demographic through subtle psychological cues.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere (“to draw to, attract”), from ad (“to”) + trahere (“to draw”).

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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