Definitions
01to tempt or attract
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to persuade someone to go somewhere or do something by offering them something exciting.
v. to entice or tempt a person or animal to move toward a specific location or action, often through guile or the promise of reward.
“The company tried to lure him away from his current job with a higher salary.”
“The promise of rapid career advancement was designed to lure the most talented graduates into the firm's intensive training programme.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb that always requires an object.
02an attraction or temptation
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the attractive quality of something that makes you want it.
n. the power of attracting or enticing; a quality that makes something seem very appealing.
“The lure of fame and fortune led many young people to the city.”
“Despite the risks involved in the expedition, the lure of discovery proved too strong for the seasoned explorers to resist.”
Synonyms
03fishing bait
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Cooking Technical
n. an artificial object used to attract and catch fish.
n. an artificial bait, often brightly coloured or reflective, used in angling to attract predatory fish.
“He chose a shiny silver lure to catch the attention of the trout.”
“The angler carefully selected a surface lure that mimicked the movement of a wounded insect to trigger a strike from the bass.”
04falconry tool
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sports Technical
n. a bunch of feathers on a string used to call a hawk back to its owner.
n. an apparatus, typically consisting of feathers or leather, used by falconers to recall a hawk or falcon during training.
“The falconer swung the lure in a circle to bring the bird back to his glove.”
“Training a young raptor requires the precise use of the lure to ensure the bird associates the signal with a food reward.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“But when she travelled to Ukraine to collect the money, she was lured into the woods and shot.” “The bars in the city's famous Walking Street still screen videos on their walls of pole-dancing women, trying to lure customers inside.” Etymology
From Anglo-Norman lure, from Old French loirre (Modern French leurre), from Frankish lōþr, from Proto-Germanic lōþr-, perhaps ultimately related to laþō (“invitation, calling”), or from Proto-Indo-European leh₂- (“to hide”). Compare English allure, also from Old French. Probably related to German Luder (“bait”).
Borrowed from Icelandic lúðr.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/lure
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0