lure

[loor]

noun

1. anything that attracts, entices, or allures.

   Synonyms: temptation

2. the power of attracting or enticing.

3. a decoy; live or especially artificial bait used in fishing or trapping.

4. Falconry.,  a feathered decoy for attracting a hawk, swung at the end of a long line and sometimes baited with raw meat.

5. a flap or tassel dangling from the dorsal fin of pediculate fishes, as the angler, that attracts prey to the mouth region.

verb (used with object)

lured, luring 

1. to attract, entice, or tempt; allure.

   Synonyms: seduce
   Antonyms: repel

2. to draw or recall (especially a falcon), as by a lure or decoy.

lure

/ lʊə /

verb

1. to tempt or attract by the promise of some type of reward

2. falconry to entice (a hawk or falcon) from the air to the falconer by a lure

noun

1. a person or thing that lures

2. angling any of various types of brightly-coloured artificial spinning baits, usually consisting of a plastic or metal body mounted with hooks and trimmed with feathers, etc See jig plug spoon

3. falconry a feathered decoy to which small pieces of meat can be attached and which is equipped with a long thong

Other Word Forms

• lurer noun
• lurement noun
• luringly adverb
• unlured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lure¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French luere ( French leurre ), from Frankish lothr- (unrecorded); cognate with Middle High German luoder, German Luder “bait”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lure¹

C14: from Old French loirre falconer's lure, from Germanic; related to Old English lathian to invite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in lure, noting a pair of wings joined with the tips downward.

Example Sentences

Just two weeks ago, the media and entertainment company lured “Stranger Things” creators Matt and Ross Duffer away from Netflix with a “wide-ranging” and exclusive four-year television, streaming and film deal.

From Los Angeles Times

Greyhound racing is defined by setting greyhounds to run around a track in pursuit of a lure activated by mechanical means.

From BBC

Jay Roach’s champagne-fizzy “The Roses” is a seductive attempt to lure them back into theaters.

From Los Angeles Times

The new league managed to lure top players from the NFL and the college game.

From BBC

Now, after years of negotiation and restoration, a new team of owners has reshaped the place to evoke Old California, celebrate the Ojai Valley’s wild side and lure Angelenos looking to escape the city.

From Los Angeles Times