Seductive
adjective /sɪˈdʌktɪv/ — Temptingly attractive — drawing one in with the promise of something irresistible.
Definition
Tending to seduce; tempting and attractive in a way that is difficult to resist; having a quality that allures and draws toward something.
Beyond the definition
Seductive is the word for attraction that operates on multiple levels at once — aesthetic, intellectual, emotional. The seductive thing (a person, an idea, a prospect) offers itself as both pleasure and danger. The reader can't quite tell where the line is.
Origin & history
From Latin seducere — to lead aside (se: away + ducere: to lead). The Latin root is about being led off the path — seduction as the diversion from the intended route.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The argument was seductive in its simplicity — it explained everything, which was exactly why she didn't trust it.
He had a seductive quality that had nothing to do with appearance: an absolute belief in what he was saying.
The seductive appeal of certainty: in a confused world, anyone who sounds sure sounds attractive.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Seductive” when the meaning fits your context: Tending to seduce; tempting and attractive in a way that is difficult to resist; having a quality that allures and draws toward something.
Synonyms
Antonyms
repellent, unappealing, off-putting
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Tense, hidden garden meeting
An adult stands in a shadowed corner of a moonlit garden, waiting with an expectant, tense posture.
The hidden nature of the meeting and the atmosphere of anticipation create a tempting quality. The secretive, urgent pull of the tryst is difficult to resist.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Seductive" mean?
Seductive is adjective meaning: Temptingly attractive — drawing one in with the promise of something irresistible.. Tending to seduce; tempting and attractive in a way that is difficult to resist; having a quality that allures and draws toward something.
Where does the word "Seductive" come from?
From Latin seducere — to lead aside (se: away + ducere: to lead). The Latin root is about being led off the path — seduction as the diversion from the intended route.