attract

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to 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. 2
   verb

   to direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

   Their good looks attract the stares of many potential suitors.

3. 3
   verb

   to be attractive to or cause a sexual or romantic interest

   I attracted them with my cooking and witty banter.

4. 4
   verb

   To pull toward without touching.

   A magnet attracts iron filings.

5. 5
   verb

   To draw by moral, emotional or sexual influence; to engage or fix, as the mind, attention, etc.; to invite or allure.

   to attract admirers

6. 6
   verb

   To incur.

   Using the minibar in a hotel room attracts additional charges.

Etymology

From Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere (“to draw to, attract”), from ad (“to”) + trahere (“to draw”).