to draw by a physical force causing or tending to cause to approach, adhere, or unite; pull (opposed to repel): The gravitational force of the earth attracts smaller bodies to it.
to draw by appealing to the emotions or senses, by stimulating interest, or by exciting admiration; allure; invite: to attract attention; to attract admirers by one's charm.
verb (used without object)
to possess or exert the power of attraction.
Origin of attract
1400–50; late Middle English <Latin attractus drawn to (past participle of attrahere), equivalent to at-at- + trac- (variant stem of trahere to draw) + -tus past participle suffix
re·at·tract,verb (used with object)un·at·tract·a·ble,adjectiveun·at·tract·ed,adjectiveun·at·tract·ing,adjective
Words nearby attract
attorney-at-law, attorney general, attorney general of the United States, attorney-in-fact, attotesla, attract, attractancy, attractant, attraction, attraction sphere, attractive
Cold War fears could be manipulated through misleading art to attract readers to daunting material.
How Pulp Fiction Saved Literature|Wendy Smith|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They dye their hair and alter their clothes, but not enough to attract attention from authorities.
North Korea’s Secret Movie Bootleggers: How Western Films Make It Into the Hermit Kingdom|Lizzie Crocker|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Who helps build convention centers and adjacent hotels so cities can attract convention business?
Democrats Are Petrified of Defending Government—but They Need to Start|Michael Tomasky|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As we approach the rumble of guns grows louder and alternates with the whir of cannonballs, which begin to attract his attention.
How Clausewitz Invented Modern War|James A. Warren|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Hollywood studios are always trying to attract the largest audience to make money,” Wiseman says.
Inside The Secret World of London’s National Gallery|Tim Teeman|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When she saw him, he pleased her; she had a desire to attract him, to see him often.
The Red Lily, Complete|Anatole France
There was nothing in the state of the atmosphere to attract special attention.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
But to return for a time to the means taken to attract the notice of other ships.
The Loss of the SS. Titanic|Lawrence Beesley
The process is impossible when there is in the work nothing to attract and something to disgust the vulgar mind.
Modern Painters Volume I (of V)|John Ruskin
The exposition was a very valuable one, and did not fail to attract a large concourse of people from all parts of the country.
Reminiscences, 1819-1899|Julia Ward Howe.
British Dictionary definitions for attract
attract
/ (əˈtrækt) /
verb(mainly tr)
to draw (notice, a crowd of observers, etc) to oneself by conspicuous behaviour or appearance (esp in the phrase attract attention)
(also intr)to exert a force on (a body) that tends to cause an approach or oppose a separationthe gravitational pull of the earth attracts objects to it
to possess some property that pulls or draws (something) towards itselfjam attracts wasps
(also intr)to exert a pleasing, alluring, or fascinating influence (upon); be attractive (to)
Derived forms of attract
attractable, adjectiveattractororattracter, noun
Word Origin for attract
C15: from Latin attrahere to draw towards, from trahere to pull