seduction

Also se·duce·ment

[si-duhk-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of seducing, especially sexually.

2. the condition of being seduced.

3. a means of seducing; enticement; temptation.

seduction

/ sɪˈdʌkʃən /

noun

1. the act of seducing or the state of being seduced

2. a means of seduction

Word History and Origins

Origin of seduction¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin sēductiōn-, stem of sēductiō “a leading aside,” from sēduct(us) “led aside” (past participle of sēdūcere “to lead aside”; seduce ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

If charming seduction could dance, it would be the Saja Boys.

From Salon

There are hard lines of propriety between Fox and the rest of the world, and despite — or perhaps because of — that, Oates makes plain that seduction, narrative and instruction each entail the exercise of power.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re the ones that whisper instead of shout, that make their case quietly, with warmth and confidence and just a hint of seduction.

From Salon

And there’s probably a perfectly fine 800-word essay one could write about the little journey Anne’s desperate line of seduction made along its way to television immortality.

From Los Angeles Times

“But it is partly about seduction, about being able to hold someone’s attention, to get them to feel something you feel passionately about or to help them see something they haven’t recognized before.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• persuasion 

When To Use

What does seduction mean?

Seduction is the act of making someone want to engage in sexual activity with you, especially in a subtle or manipulative way.Seduction is also commonly used in a more general way meaning the act of tempting or influencing someone to do something, especially something bad or something they wouldn’t normally do. Though this sense of the word does not involve sex, it’s still often thought of as a metaphor for the type of seduction that does.Both senses of the word often imply a subtle manipulation in which one’s motives are hidden.Seduction is the noun form of the verb seduce. People or things that seduce or that are capable of seduction are said to be seductive.Example: Don’t be fooled by his charm and his seduction—he only wants one thing.