Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause to approach or adhere: In physics, to exert a force that pulls an object closer or prevents it from moving away.
   • To be appealing or interesting: To draw favorable attention, interest, or admiration from someone.
   • To draw or pull toward oneself: To use psychological influence, personal qualities, or actions to bring people, things, or attention to oneself.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The magnet attracts iron filings. (The magnet exerts a force that pulls the iron filings toward it.)
  • The beautiful scenery attracts many tourists. (The beautiful scenery draws the interest of many tourists.)
  • The charismatic speaker attracts a large audience. (The speaker's qualities draw a large audience toward him.)

Advanced Usage

• "Attract investment": To draw financial capital or funding.
  • The new policy aims to attract foreign investment.
• "Attract criticism": To be the cause or target of negative comments or judgment.
  • His controversial statement attracted widespread criticism.

Variants and Related Words

• Attraction (n): The action or power of attracting; a person or thing that draws interest.
  • The main attraction of the city is its ancient castle.
• Attractive (adj): Pleasing or appealing to the senses or mind.
  • She found the offer very attractive.
• Attractor (n): In physics or mathematics, something that attracts or draws things toward it.

Synonyms

• Draw: To pull or bring toward oneself.
• Pull: To exert force to move something closer.
• Lure: To tempt or attract, sometimes with a hint of deception.
• Appeal to: To be attractive or interesting to someone.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Attract to: To cause someone to feel an interest in or liking for something.
  • What first attracted you to this field of study?

Related Idioms

• Like a moth to a flame: Used to describe being strongly and often dangerously attracted to something.
  • He was drawn to the risky venture like a moth to a flame.

Verb

1. exert a force on (a body) causing it to approach or prevent it from moving away
   • the gravitational pull of a planet attracts other bodies
2. be attractive to
   • The idea of a vacation appeals to me
   • The beautiful garden attracted many people
3. direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
   • Her good looks attract the stares of many men
   • The ad pulled in many potential customers
   • This pianist pulls huge crowds
   • The store owner was happy that the ad drew in many new customers