Attractive
"Pleasing or appealing to the senses; having the power to draw or pull something toward itself."
Morphological Anatomy
The verb attract (from Latin attrahere, meaning "to pull toward") is combined with the suffix -ive to create an adjective describing the power to pull or appeal.
Etymology Timeline
attrahere
From ad- ("to") + trahere ("to pull"). Literally, "to pull to."
Attractive
The adjective attractive entered English to describe something that has the power to pull or appeal to the senses.
Word Family & Derivatives
To pull something toward itself by a physical force.
The action or power of evoking interest, pleasure, or liking for someone or something.
The quality of being attractive.
In an attractive way; with appeal to the senses.
Usage in Context
The word attractive is used to describe both physical beauty and abstract appeal. In a physical sense, it describes someone who is pleasing to look at, such as an attractive person. It can also describe objects or places that are aesthetically pleasing.
In an abstract sense, it describes something that is interesting or desirable. An attractive offer or an attractive investment suggests something that is beneficial and worth pursuing. In science, attractive force describes the pull between objects, such as gravity or magnetism.
Example Sentences
- "The company made an attractive offer to the new candidate."
- "The city has many attractive parks and gardens."
- "She is a very attractive woman with a kind heart."