lure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of attracting or enticing someone or something, often for a specific purpose. Example: "The fisherman used a bright-colored lure to attract the fish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Business

Books

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government hopes that the lure of extended contracts will entice greater investment from the private sector and allow the government to reduce the taxpayer's contribution to the railways.

The Guardian

A 19-year-old said: "I was told to approach a group of five men we saw in a nearby village and lure them to where the insurgents were hiding".

The Guardian

Originally a promotional scheme meant to lure new residents, city branding is now a slogan tied to a public relations campaign to make the places where we live into "destinations".

The Guardian

Kazakhstan has lifted visa requirements for citizens of selected countries in a bid to lure business travellers and boost the tourism sector, but experts believe attracting foreign visitors to the country will remain a hard sell.

The Guardian

The footage showed that a jay had been used as a lure in a cage-style trap which had caught a rare goshawk.

The Guardian

The Glasgow Evening Times reports on a two-wheeled sex pest who 'uses a racing bike to travel around the west of Scotland trying to lure children into posing for indecent pictures'.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The big things just weren't big enough to lure hungry travellers from the generic service stations and drive-through takeaway joints that dot the freeways today.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

During Chris Christie's first term as governor, he made tax incentives a cornerstone of a promised "New Jersey comeback" that would lure new businesses to the state.

The Guardian

On the one hand they were the big draw at festivals – the lure of White Noise helped block walkways at Glastonbury, pack tents at Field Day, and, improbably, steal the Nine Inch Nails crowd at Reading and Leeds.

The Guardian - Music

Open from 9am - late The floor to ceiling barrels of wine, visible through the windows of this thoroughly traditional bar will lure you into a treasure trove of fine local cuisine.

The Guardian - Travel

An Italian former policeman who used Couchsurfing, a hospitality exchange and social networking website, to allegedly lure young women to his home, where he drugged and assaulted them, was on Tuesday found guilty of raping a 16-year-old Australian girl and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lure", consider the subtle negative connotation it can carry, suggesting a potential deception or trap. Ensure this aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

While "lure" is versatile, it can sound overly suggestive or manipulative in professional settings. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "attract" or "encourage" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lure" is a verb, used transitively to describe the act of enticing or attracting someone or something. Ludwig AI examples show it used to indicate the act of attracting business, tourists, or even people into dangerous situations. It can also function as a noun, referring to something used to attract.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Travel

7%

Sport

6%

Less common in

Business

5%

Books

3%

Music

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "lure" is a versatile term, functioning both as a verb and a noun, primarily used to describe the act of enticing or attracting. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in News & Media, Travel, and Sport contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Although grammatically correct, it carries a subtle connotation of potential deception or manipulation, so writers should be mindful of this nuance. Alternatives such as "attract", "entice", and "tempt" may be more appropriate in certain formal settings to avoid unintended implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attract

Focuses on drawing someone or something towards a particular point, often without negative connotations.

entice

Implies a more deliberate attempt to persuade someone, often with something appealing.

tempt

Suggests offering something desirable to lead someone astray or into a risky situation.

draw in

Emphasizes the act of pulling someone or something into a specific place or situation.

allure

Refers to a subtle and often irresistible power of attraction.

seduce

Implies a strong and persuasive attraction, often with romantic or deceptive undertones.

decoy

Highlights the use of a trick or strategy to mislead or attract.

bait

Focuses on using something appealing to trap or catch someone.

entrap

Suggests luring someone into a situation from which escape is difficult.

woo

Implies seeking someone's favor or support, often through flattery or persuasion.

FAQs

What does "lure" mean?

"Lure" means to tempt or attract someone, often with the promise of something desirable, but sometimes with a deceptive intent.

What can I say instead of "lure"?

You can use alternatives like "attract", "entice", or "tempt" depending on the context.

Is "lure" always negative?

While "lure" can imply deception, it isn't always negative. It depends on the context and whether the attraction involves misleading someone. For example, using a "lure" in fishing isn't inherently negative.

How to use "lure" in a sentence?

You can use "lure" as a verb to describe the act of attracting someone or something, or as a noun to describe something used to attract. For example, "They used tax incentives to lure businesses to the state" or "The shiny lure attracted the fish".