attraction

[uh-trak-shuhn]

noun

1. the act, power, or property of attracting.

2. attractive quality; magnetic charm; fascination; allurement; enticement.

   the subtle attraction of her strange personality.

   Synonyms: lure, appeal

3. a person or thing that draws, attracts, allures, or entices.

   The main attraction was the after-dinner speaker.

4. a characteristic or quality that provides pleasure; attractive feature.

   The chief attractions of the evening were the good drinks and witty conversation.

5. Physics.,  the electric or magnetic force that acts between oppositely charged bodies, tending to draw them together.

6. an entertainment offered to the public.

   Synonyms: spectacle, show

attraction

/ əˈtrækʃən /

noun

1. the act, power, or quality of attracting

2. a person or thing that attracts or is intended to attract

3. a force by which one object attracts another, such as the gravitational or electrostatic force

4. a change in the form of one linguistic element caused by the proximity of another element

Other Word Forms

• attractionally adverb
• reattraction noun
• superattraction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of attraction¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English attraccioun, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin attractiōn-, stem of attractiō; equivalent to attract + -ion

Example Sentences

The Glória funicular, a popular tourist attraction, derailed and crashed into a building on Wednesday, killing 16.

From BBC

This kind of mad attraction, attention and abandon comes to a screeching halt when one of the parties changes their mind and starts to pull away.

From Los Angeles Times

In Lisbon, funiculars are among the most sought after tourist attractions.

From BBC

It’s not the first Las Vegas attraction to bet on our love for the MGM extravaganza.

From Los Angeles Times

Atheneum Suite Hotel — The Atheneum Suite Hotel sits conveniently in Greektown, just a short walk from restaurants, casinos, and other attractions.

From Salon

Related Words

• allure 
• appeal 
• attractiveness 
• interest