lure
B2Formal to neutral, common in written and spoken contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To entice or persuade someone to do something or go somewhere, especially by offering something appealing or through deception.
Can refer to the quality or object that attracts or entices, such as the artificial bait used in fishing, or the perceived appeal of a person, place, or idea. In a darker sense, it implies temptation towards something dangerous or immoral.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word inherently carries a nuance of attraction, but often with an implication of deceit, danger, or an appeal to base instincts. It is not a neutral synonym for 'attract'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Consistent connotations of temptation and potential danger across both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in fishing contexts (noun sense), but overall usage is very similar.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
lure + OBJ + into + -ing / NPlure + OBJ + away (from)lure + OBJ + backVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The lure of the open road”
- “The siren's lure”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to strategies to attract talent or customers, e.g., 'financial lures to recruit top executives'.
Academic
Used in discussions of psychology, economics, or literature regarding temptation and motivation.
Everyday
Common in discussing sales, holidays, or personal temptations, e.g., 'lured by the sunny weather'.
Technical
Primarily in angling for artificial bait.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The lure of a quiet cottage by the sea was irresistible.
- He selected a brightly coloured lure from his tackle box.
- For many, the lure of fame is hard to resist.
American English
- The lure of quick money can lead to bad decisions.
- She felt the lure of the big city after growing up in a small town.
- His new job offered the lure of frequent travel.
verb
British English
- Advertisers try to lure customers with special offers.
- The spy was lured into a trap with false information.
- Bright lights lure moths to their doom.
American English
- The company lured him away from their competitor with a huge salary.
- Don't be lured into signing a contract without reading it.
- The shimmering pool lured the hikers off the trail.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The shop used a sale to lure customers.
- The cheese was a lure for the mouse.
- The sunny beach lured us out of the hotel.
- He felt the lure of a new adventure.
- The recruiter managed to lure several employees away from the rival firm.
- They were lured into the scam by promises of easy wealth.
- The protagonist is lured into a web of deceit by his own ambition.
- The government offered tax breaks as a lure for foreign investment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LURE on a fishing line looks LUxurious and sURE to catch a fish.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEMPTATION IS A BAITED HOOK / DESIRE IS A MAGNET.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'приманка' (bait) in purely physical contexts; 'lure' is more active and often psychological. Do not use as a direct translation for 'манить' without the connotation of potential trickery.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lure' as a neutral synonym for 'invite' (e.g., 'He lured me to the party' sounds sinister). Overusing the noun form in non-fishing contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'lure' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but it frequently implies an attraction to something potentially harmful or deceptive. In neutral contexts like fishing or marketing ('the lure of the product'), it's less negative.
'Attract' is neutral. 'Lure' suggests a deliberate, often cunning or deceptive attempt to attract someone, usually for the benefit of the 'lurer'.
Yes. As a noun, it most literally means artificial fishing bait. Figuratively, it means the attractive quality of something (e.g., 'the lure of the unknown').
Yes. 'Allure' is primarily a noun (or verb in a more poetic register) referring to the power of attraction itself, often mysterious or sophisticated. 'Lure' is more active as a verb and as a noun often implies a specific, sometimes deceptive, object of attraction.