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temptation

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //tɛmˈteɪʃən// UK //tɛmptˈeɪʃən// temp·ta·tion

n. a strong feeling that you want to do or have something, even though you know it is wrong or bad for you.

n. the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise; also refers to the thing that attracts one toward such an action.


SIMPLE

I couldn't resist the temptation to eat the last cookie.

CONTEXTUAL

The high salary was a huge temptation, but he decided to stay at his current job for the better work-life balance.

COMPLEX

In many classic narratives, the protagonist must overcome a series of temptations that threaten to divert them from their moral path or ultimate goal.

Synonyms
Origin

From Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio. Morphologically tempt + -ation.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the abstract feeling; countable when referring to a specific thing or instance that attracts someone.

Pitfall

He has a temptation of chocolateHe has a temptation for chocolateWhen expressing a desire for a specific thing, the noun is typically followed by the preposition 'for' or an infinitive 'to'.

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