tempt /tempt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: tempter , tenter , from Latin temptare , tentare 'to feel, try, tempt' ]
1 . to try to persuade someone to do something by making it seem attractive
tempt somebody into doing something
The new program is designed to tempt young people into studying engineering.
tempt somebody to do something
It would take a lot of money to tempt me to quit this job.
2 . to make someone want to have or do something, even though they know they really should not:
If you leave valuables in your car it will tempt thieves.
be tempted to do something
I’m tempted to buy that dress.
3 . tempt fate ( also tempt providence British English )
a) to do something that involves unnecessary risk and may cause serious problems:
Fire officials said developers are tempting fate by building deep into the scenic canyons.
b) to say too confidently that something will have a good result, that there will be no problems etc, when it is likely there will be problems