# attract

/əˈtɹækt/ (US) · /ɐtɹˈækt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/attract
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to pull physically

verb · CEFR B1

to pull something toward itself using a physical force, like a magnet.

For teachers: to exert a physical force that draws an object toward the source of that force.

- The magnet attracted the small metal paperclips on the desk.
- The massive planet's gravitational field attracts nearby asteroids, often pulling them into a stable orbit or toward a terminal collision.

Usage: This sense is almost always transitive, requiring a direct object.

### 2. to interest or allure

verb · CEFR B1

to make someone interested in something or to make them like you.

For teachers: to evoke interest, admiration, or desire in others through specific qualities or features.

- The bright colors of the flowers attract many bees and butterflies.
- The city's vibrant nightlife and low cost of living continue to attract young professionals from across the continent.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice to describe a person's reaction, such as 'to be attracted to someone'.

### 3. to cause a reaction

verb · CEFR B2

to cause a particular reaction or result, often a negative one.

For teachers: to elicit or incur a specific response, often used with nouns like 'attention', 'criticism', or 'controversy'.

- His unusual clothes attracted a lot of attention in the small town.
- The government's new tax proposal attracted fierce criticism from both the public and the opposition parties.

Usage: Commonly collocates with 'attention', 'criticism', 'publicity', or 'controversy'.

## Examples

- Bright flowers attract many bees in the summer.
- The new museum exhibit is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the country this weekend.
- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.