Do you know the definition of allure? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word allure, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin
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September 7, 2021
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What does the word allure mean?
According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word allure can be used as a noun or a verb to refer to appeal, charm or attraction. Allure is two syllables – al-lure, and the pronunciation of allure is əˈlʊər.
Many things can have allure, like the allure of politics, the allure of a steep incline hike, the allure of Princeton University, the allure of escapism in classical mythology, the allure of studying historic attractions, the allure of these men, the allure of a rope swing, the allure of accomplishments in politics, the dubious allure of capturing the skin of a criminal, the original allure of soccer heroes on a cup run the allure of Tinseltown, part of the continuing allure of police action films that span generations of movie-goers, the allure of a lousy investment, the allure of an Indian sari, the allure of immune boosting supplements despite their false appearances, the paparazzi’s delight in the allure of female garments, the allure of one’s husband’s eyes, tourist allure in a new location, and more. This was originally a falconry term for a snare or trap.
Many different languages have translations of allure (əˈlʊr). You may notice that some of these words look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates, which are formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. These can be helpful to know if you are trying to learn more than one language. This list of translations of allure is provided by Word Sense.
- French: attirance (fem.)
- Bulgarian: привлека́телност (fem.)
- German: Verlockung (fem.), Reiz (masc.), Anziehungskraft (fem.)
- Portuguese: encanto (masc.), atrativo (masc.)
- Persian: جذبه (jazabe)
- Ukrainian: шарм (masc.), прива́бливість (fem.)
- Italian: ammaliamento (masc.), fascino (masc.), incanto (masc.), attrazione (fem.), richiamo (masc.)
- Turkish: cezbetmek
- Finnish: viehätys, vetovoima
- Russian: привлека́тельность (fem.), шарм (masc.), очарова́ние (neut.), обая́ние (neut.), ча́ры (fem. pl.)
- Mandarin: 誘惑, 诱惑 (yòuhuò)
- Norwegian: drag (neut.)
- Polish: czar, powab
- Spanish: encanto (masc.), fascinación (fem.), atractivo (fem.)
- Japanese: 魅力 (みりょく, miryoku)
- Dutch: aantrekkelijkheid
What is the origin of the word allure?
According to Etymonline, the word allure has been used since early c15 Late Middle English aluren and comes from the Anglo-French alurer, Middle French alurer and Old French aleurier/Old French aleurer/Old French alurer meaning to attract or captivate. This comes from the French à meaning to and loirre meaning a falconer’s lure or trap. This comes from a Frankish word and the Latin ad and luere/lurer, of Germanic origin. The suffixed ed and ing can be added to the end of allure to form the verb tenses allured and the present participle alluring (vb.)
What are synonyms and antonyms of allure?
There are many equivalent words that a person can use in place of the term allure. It is helpful to know synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition or meaning as another word or phrase if someone does not know what the word allure means. Synonyms are a great way to avoid repeating yourself and expand your vocabulary. This list of synonyms of allure is provided by Power Thesaurus.
- attractiveness
- lure
- charms
- interestingness
- beguile
- glam
- interest
- temptation
- attracts
- allurement
- fascinate
- charisma
- eye-appeal
- invitation
- court
- elegance
- entice
- loveliness
- enticing
- glamor
- call
- romance
- glamour
- pulchritude
- invite
- temptingness
- enthrall
- please
- coy
- spell
- drawing power
- charming
- enchantment
- sweet-talk
- take
- cajole
- induce
- charm
- fascinations
- desirability
- appeal to
- draw
- exoticism
- fascination
- magnetism
- influence
- hypnotize
- tantalize
- magnetize
- tempting
- sex appeal
- seduction
- lead on
- pull
- enrapture
- magic
- exquisiteness
- blandish
- spellbind
- good looks
- seductiveness
- engage
- dazzle
- prettiness
- captivation
- seducing
- bait
- attractions
- enticement
- spells
- bewitch
- captivate
- beauty
- tempt
- vamp
- convince
- entrance
- enchant
- inveigle
- witchery
- attract
- appeal
- attracting
- appealing
- winsomeness
- become popular
- lure bait
- entrap
- woo
- persuade
- mesmerize
- engross
- animal magnetism
- intrigue
- delight
- ensnare
- excitement
- coax
- mystique
- seduce
- attraction
- inveigled
There are also many different words and phrases that mean the opposite of allure. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another quick and easy way to expand your vocabulary. This list of antonyms of allure is also provided by Power Thesaurus.
- detestation
- deter
- conquer
- dissuade
- antipathy
- disturb
- agitate
- avert
- disagreeableness
- curb
- distaste
- demolish
- detain
- awfulness
- allay
- depress
- boredom
- agree
- restrain
- hightail it
- bar
- afflict
- take to heart
- warn
- lose interest
- deport
- disrupt
- discourage
- damp
- alarm
- distastefulness
- disgust
- repel
- prevent
- dampen
- appease
- aversion
- delay
- awe
- check
- relax
- repulsion
- disenchant
- indifference
- apprehend
- divert
- daunt
- assuage
- chill
- disillusion
- encumber
- impede
- dread
- relieve
- odium
- frustrate
- jade
- eyesore
- modify
- prohibit
- gully
- loathing
- ghastliness
- offensiveness
- hinder
- outface
- qualm
- resist
- obstruct
- forbid
- execration
- obnoxiousness
- quell
- reduce
- phobia
- inhibit
- eschew
- push
- hatred
- fear
- dreadfulness
- repress
- repugnance
- hideousness
- enormity
- foulness
- retain
- opprobrium
- release
- reluctance
- horror
- nauseate
- repulse
- drive away
- frightfulness
- phi
- oppose
- nausea
- hold back
- preclude
How can the word allure be used in a sentence?
The word allure can be used in many different ways in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definition. You can also make flashcards or quizzes for yourself to test your knowledge and English vocabulary. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are several examples of allure to get you started.
There was much mystery in the allure of French actresses, blond sex bombs of the Communist party who promoted unattainable weight loss.
The dangerous allure of gold is a present theme in the fable of King Midas.
She found a romantic allure in the alien world like how others find the shimmering allure of the pop industry.
Overall, the word allure means charm or attraction. This word was originally used in falconry.
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