/ əˈtrækt; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
[ usually passive ] attract sb (to sb/sth) if you are attracted by sth, it interests you and makes you want it; if you are attracted by sb, you like or admire them :
I had always been attracted by the idea of working abroad.
What first attracted me to her was her sense of humour.
2.
attract sb/sth (to sth) to make sb/sth come somewhere or take part in sth :
The warm damp air attracts a lot of mosquitoes.
The exhibition has attracted thousands of visitors.
3.
to make people have a particular reaction :
This proposal has attracted a lot of interest .
His comments were bound to attract criticism .
She tried to attract the attention of the waiter.
4.
( physics ) if a magnet or gravity attracts sth, it makes it move towards it
OPP repel
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IDIOMS
see opposite noun
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin attract- drawn near, from the verb attrahere , from ad- to + trahere draw.