attractive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word attractive is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is pleasant or appealing in appearance. Example: She was so impressed with the house that she found it extremely attractive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Business

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latest evolution of tobacco company strategies involves new nicotine products that make smoking attractive and confound the boundary between toxic and less toxic uses.

The Guardian

So as a "career move" (as Grade himself described it) altogether quite attractive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Far from Cairo's madding crowds, they are in theory an attractive prospect for many Egyptians.

The Guardian

Glasby believes too little is being done to turn commissioning into a career of choice for future public service leaders: "If you are a young, bright, aspirational 18-year-old, what is there out there to make commissioning attractive?" This article is published by Guardian Professional.

The Guardian

Switching public spending from "grey" projects such as roads and airports, to "green" schemes such as parks, tree planting and allotments, would not just save the government billions of pounds, improve health, and cut climate emissions, but it would create jobs and make British cities more attractive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our short-term vision is just to stabilise the club, to produce an attractive package on the park which will get the fans back in and provide financial solidity".

The Guardian - Sport

Blaming mothers for their child's situation is a simple, and to some people attractive, way of looking at all sorts of problems – but it's not fair, it's not thoughtful, and it's not kind.

The Guardian - Opinion

With that caveat, it offers an attractive compromise between the convenience of a hotel and the independence of self-catering.

The Guardian - Travel

Shelter thinks the "basic economics of long-term, index-linked renting should stack up" and make it more attractive, not less, to institutional investors and small time landlords alike.

The Guardian

Although I think it's about time Howard had a cheeky affair with a rather attractive young lady.

The Guardian

The voters might decide that the Lard is quite an attractive option when put alongside the likes of Nigel Farage; party managers may need to prepare for a Labour/SNP/Lard coalition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attractive" to suggest something has inherent qualities that draw interest, whether it's a job offer, a design, or a person.

Common error

While "attractive" is widely applicable, consider more precise synonyms like "compelling", "advantageous", or "appealing" in formal or business contexts to convey specific qualities rather than general attractiveness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "attractive" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something possessing qualities that appeal to the senses or evoke interest. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and wide usability in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Business

10%

Sport

8%

Opinion

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "attractive" functions as an adjective that indicates something possesses qualities that are pleasing or desirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts such as news, lifestyle, travel, business, and sports. While it enjoys broad applicability, more precise alternatives such as "appealing", "desirable", or "engaging" might be more appropriate in formal settings. As numerous examples demonstrate, "attractive" serves to convey positive qualities, and it remains a versatile and valuable word in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appealing

A more general term for something that evokes interest or positive feelings.

desirable

Emphasizes the quality of being wanted or sought after.

alluring

Suggests a captivating or tempting quality.

engaging

Focuses on the ability to capture and hold attention.

charming

Highlights a delightful or pleasing nature.

pleasant

Indicates a sense of enjoyment or satisfaction.

enticing

Implies a persuasive quality that leads someone to do something.

magnetic

Conveys a strong power to draw people in.

fetching

Suggests an appealing and pleasing appearance, often in a slightly old-fashioned way.

winsome

Implies an innocence and charm that makes someone likable.

FAQs

How can I use "attractive" in a sentence?

You can use "attractive" to describe someone or something pleasing or appealing. For example, "She found the house extremely "attractive"." or "That's a very "attractive" offer."

What's the difference between "attractive" and "beautiful"?

"Attractive" suggests a pleasing quality that draws interest, while "beautiful" typically denotes a higher degree of aesthetic pleasure or perfection.

What are some synonyms for "attractive"?

Some synonyms for "attractive" include "appealing", "desirable", "alluring", and "charming", each with slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use "attractive"?

It's appropriate to use "attractive" in many contexts to describe something that is pleasing, appealing, or desirable. However, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose a synonym if it's more precise.