English Reference
Verb

entice

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ɪnˈtaɪs/ UK /ɛntˈaɪs/ en·tice UK spelling entices

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.


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'.

In the school holidays, many places will entice families through their doors by offering free or £1 meals for kids eating with paying adults.

BBC News· 1 Sept 2026

Interest was at a fever pitch as teams tried to entice him to leave the Islanders.

Toronto Sun· 18 Aug 2026

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.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *teih₁-
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated