Siren
noun /ˈsaɪrən/ — Something irresistibly beautiful that leads you toward danger.
Definition
In Greek mythology, a creature whose enchanting music lured sailors onto rocks; anything irresistibly alluring but potentially dangerous; a device that emits a warning sound.
Beyond the definition
The sirens sang to Odysseus and his crew — music so beautiful that sailors steered toward it without being able to stop themselves. The metaphor now describes anything whose beauty contains a trap: a person whose charm draws you in before you notice the cost, an idea that sounds perfect but destroys on arrival.
Origin & history
From Greek Seirēn — mythological creatures who lured sailors to their deaths with beautiful singing. Often depicted as half-woman, half-bird.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The startup's pitch was a siren — compelling, beautiful, and built on assumptions that collapsed in practice.
He knew she was a siren in every sense: the most attractive, least sustainable relationship he'd ever have.
Fame is a siren — it calls so beautifully that you forget to ask where it's taking you.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Siren” when the meaning fits your context: In Greek mythology, a creature whose enchanting music lured sailors onto rocks; anything irresistibly alluring but potentially dangerous; a device that emits a warning sound.
Synonyms
temptation, lure, enchantress, seduction, allure
Antonyms
warning, repellent, deterrent
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Siren" mean?
Siren is noun meaning: Something irresistibly beautiful that leads you toward danger.. In Greek mythology, a creature whose enchanting music lured sailors onto rocks; anything irresistibly alluring but potentially dangerous; a device that emits a warning sound.
Where does the word "Siren" come from?
From Greek Seirēn — mythological creatures who lured sailors to their deaths with beautiful singing. Often depicted as half-woman, half-bird.