French word

attraction

Pronunciation

IPA/atʁaksjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounappeal

Example

Sa personnalité exerce une grande attraction sur les autres.

Her personality has a strong appeal to others.

Illustration for attraction (appeal)

More examples

La tour Eiffel est une attraction touristique célèbre.

The Eiffel Tower is a famous tourist attraction.

Core concept

A drawing force that makes a person, place, or object command attention or invite approach.

Common phrases

  • une attraction touristique

    a tourist attraction

  • parc d'attractions

    an amusement park

Similar words

charme: Pleasant appeal conveyed through someone's appearance or manner.
fascination: A state of being deeply captivated by intense wonder or interest.
charisme: A powerful personality that attracts and influences others.
attrait: A quality that creates appeal or sparks interest.

Definition in French

Qualité ou force qui suscite l'intérêt, l'attention ou l'affection et qui rend une personne ou une chose attirante.

Word origin

The French noun attraction developed from Latin attractio, the noun related to attrahere 'to draw toward', and preserves both concrete and figurative senses of drawing in.

Usage tips

  • Context distinguishes attraction as appeal, a physical force, or an entertainment or tourist feature; attraction touristique specifies the last sense.

Other meanings

  • tourist attractionnoun
  • gravitational pullnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • attractifattractiveadjective
  • attractivitéattractivenessnoun

Word lists with this word