Siren
noun /ˈsʌɪr(ə)n/ — An irresistibly attractive person who lures through beauty.
Definition
In Greek mythology, a creature whose enchanting singing lured sailors onto rocks; by extension, a person whose compelling attraction draws others into danger.
Beyond the definition
The siren is the myth of dangerous beauty — not just attractive but inescapably so, and not just attractive but fatal. The sailors know, as they steer toward the rocks, that they are being destroyed. The power of the siren story is that it names the seduction as something external — as if the danger came from the siren rather than the sailors' own desire.
Origin & history
From Greek Seirenes (the Sirens) — the sea nymphs in Homer's Odyssey whose song caused sailors to shipwreck. Odysseus survived by having himself tied to the mast.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was no siren — she did not seek to attract or to harm, and the destruction came from his own expectations.
The startup had a siren quality — everyone knew the risks, and still they came.
The siren call of easy money has wrecked more ships than any storm.
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 singing lured sailors onto rocks; by extension, a person whose compelling attraction draws others into danger.
Synonyms
temptress, enchantress, lure
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
Guardian Figure Before Complex Maze
A person stands before the entrance of a stone-walled maze, where a dark, imposing guardian figure looms, watching the entrance.
The siren is an alluring figure whose charm draws others toward danger. The guardian at the maze entrance functions as a metaphor for this risk, representing a compelling call that promises a challenge while hiding potential entrapment.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Siren" mean?
Siren is noun meaning: An irresistibly attractive person who lures through beauty.. In Greek mythology, a creature whose enchanting singing lured sailors onto rocks; by extension, a person whose compelling attraction draws others into danger.
Where does the word "Siren" come from?
From Greek Seirenes (the Sirens) — the sea nymphs in Homer's Odyssey whose song caused sailors to shipwreck. Odysseus survived by having himself tied to the mast.