What does "lure" mean?

1. (to tempt or attract) to persuade someone to go somewhere or do something by offering them something exciting. 2. (an attraction or temptation) the attractive quality of something that makes you want it. 3. (fishing bait) an artificial object used to attract and catch fish. 4. (falconry tool) a bunch of feathers on a string used to call a hawk back to its owner.

How do you use "lure"?

This is a transitive verb that always requires an object.

lure

v. · n.

US //ˈɫʊɹ// UK //lˈɔː// lure

1 to tempt or attract (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to persuade someone to go somewhere or do something by offering them something exciting.

to entice or tempt a person or animal to move toward a specific location or action, often through guile or the promise of reward.

Example

The company tried to lure him away from his current job with a higher salary.

Example

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.
- repel
- deter
2 an attraction or temptation (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the attractive quality of something that makes you want it.

the power of attracting or enticing; a quality that makes something seem very appealing.

Example

The lure of fame and fortune led many young people to the city.

Example

Despite the risks involved in the expedition, the lure of discovery proved too strong for the seasoned explorers to resist.

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3 fishing bait (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

an artificial object used to attract and catch fish.

an artificial bait, often brightly coloured or reflective, used in angling to attract predatory fish.

Example

He chose a shiny silver lure to catch the attention of the trout.

Example

The angler carefully selected a surface lure that mimicked the movement of a wounded insect to trigger a strike from the bass.
- bait
- decoy
4 falconry tool (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Sport

a bunch of feathers on a string used to call a hawk back to its owner.

an apparatus, typically consisting of feathers or leather, used by falconers to recall a hawk or falcon during training.

Example

The falconer swung the lure in a circle to bring the bird back to his glove.

Example

Training a young raptor requires the precise use of the lure to ensure the bird associates the signal with a food reward.
- decoy

Etymology 1

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”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Icelandic lúðr.