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attract
/əˈtrækt/
draw interest or attention
The bright colors of the flowers attract bees.
The flowers' bright colors make bees want to come near them.
general
To cause someone or something to come toward or toward a particular place.
The new restaurant attracted a lot of customers.
Many people started going to the new restaurant because it seemed interesting.
Magnets attract metal objects.
Metal objects move toward magnets because of their force.
Often used for physical forces (magnets) or abstract appeal (people, ideas).
general
To cause a particular emotion or reaction in someone.
Her kindness attracted admiration from everyone.
People admired her because she was kind.
Commonly used with emotions like admiration, sympathy, or criticism.
Collocations
attract attentionto make people notice something or someoneattract customersto bring people to a businessattract interestto make people want to know moreattract criticismto cause negative comments or disapproval
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Prepositions with 'attract'
Use 'to' for people/things (e.g., 'attract people to a place'), 'by' for causes (e.g., 'attracted by the smell'), and 'with' for features (e.g., 'attract with bright colors').
Gold Rule
Passive vs. Active
Use the passive form when the focus is on the result (e.g., 'The event was well-attended' → 'The event attracted many people').
Word Origin
From Latin 'attractus', past participle of 'attrahere' (to draw toward), from 'ad-' (to) + 'trahere' (to pull). First used in English in the 15th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly followed by prepositions like 'to', 'by', or 'with'. Often used in passive constructions (e.g., 'He was attracted to the idea').
Word Breakdown
at-
to/toward
prefix-tract
pull/draw
rootEnglish Dictionary