Word
tempt
US/ˈtɛmpt/
UK/tˈɛmpt/
Definitions
01to entice or allure
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make you want to have or do something, especially something that is not good for you.
v. to entice or allure someone into a course of action that is often transgressive or unwise.
“The smell of fresh bread tempted me to go into the bakery even though I wasn't hungry.”
“The high salary tempted him to accept the position, despite his reservations about the company's ethical record.”
Antonyms
02to risk something
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to do something that might cause a bad result; to take a big risk.
v. to provoke or court a negative outcome by acting provocatively or recklessly.
“Driving so fast on these icy roads is really tempting fate.”
“By refusing to upgrade their security systems, the firm is tempting providence and risking a major data breach.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tempt” in context.
Verb
01. be tempted by the offer
“I was strongly tempted by the offer, but I ultimately decided to stay at my current job.”
verb + prep + noun
02. tempt fate
“Sailing into the storm without a life jacket is really tempting fate.”
verb + noun
03. tempt the audience with a preview
“The director decided to tempt the audience with a short preview of the upcoming sequel.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
04. tempt the buyer to reconsider
“The real estate agent tried to tempt the buyer to reconsider the offer by lowering the price.”
verb + noun + infinitive
Adverb
05. constantly tempt the children with sweets
“The grandparents constantly tempt the children with sweets before dinner.”
adv + verb + noun + prep + noun
06. sorely tempted
“I was sorely tempted to tell him exactly what I thought of his behavior.”
adv + verb
Usage
The verb is transitive and often takes an object followed by an infinitive ('tempt someone to do').
Pitfall
I am tempted for buying it
I am tempted to buy it
When followed by an action, the verb requires the 'to' infinitive rather than a prepositional phrase with 'for'.
Real-World Examples
“Anyone tempted to cool off in rivers and open water should consult local warning signs and consider any hidden dangers , external .” “He said he could no longer compete with gangs, and was tempted to give up and leave.” Etymology
From Middle English tempten, from Old French tempter (French: tenter), from Latin temptare, from tentare (“to handle, touch, try, test, tempt”), frequentative of tendere (“to stretch”). Displaced native English costning (“temptation”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. tempt fate
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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