Word
entice
Phoneticsen·tice, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪnˈtaɪs/
UK/ɛntˈaɪs/
Definition
v. to attract someone by offering them something pleasant or interesting. You use this when someone is tempted to do something because of a reward.
v. to attract or tempt by offering a reward or pleasure. Often implies a degree of persuasion or the use of a lure to influence a decision.
Examples
“The smell of fresh bread will entice customers into the shop.”
“The company tried to entice new employees by offering a generous signing bonus and flexible working hours.”
“While the high salary was designed to entice top-tier candidates, many were deterred by the firm's reputation for demanding an unsustainable work-life balance.”
Examples
simple
“The smell of fresh bread will entice customers into the shop.”
contextual
“The company tried to entice new employees by offering a generous signing bonus and flexible working hours.”
complex
“While the high salary was designed to entice top-tier candidates, many were deterred by the firm's reputation for demanding an unsustainable work-life balance.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and typically follows the pattern 'entice someone into doing something' or 'entice someone to do something'.
Pitfall
They enticed to him with money.
They enticed him with money.
Entice is a transitive verb and takes a direct object without the preposition 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“In the school holidays, many places will entice families through their doors by offering free or £1 meals for kids eating with paying adults.” “Interest was at a fever pitch as teams tried to entice him to leave the Islanders.” Etymology
From Middle English enticen, from Old French enticier (“to stir up or excite”), from a Vulgar Latin intitiāre (“I set on fire”), from in- + titiō (“firebrand (tool)”), from Proto-Italic tītjō (“heating”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *teih₁- (“to become hot, melt or to end”).
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/entice