entice

entice — verb

1. To get a person or animal to do what you want them to do by making the outcome s

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To get a person or animal to do what you want them to do by making the outcome seem desirable or rewarding.

Example

The bakery hopes the smell of fresh bread will entice customers inside.

collocation: entice + object inside

Ravi tried to entice his young daughter to eat vegetables by making a funny face.

pattern: entice + object + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • entice customers
  • entice investors
  • entice someone with an offer
  • entice someone into a deal
  • entice someone to stay
  • entice someone to try something
Synonyms
  • tempt

    Similar meaning but often suggests doing something wrong or unwise; 'entice' is more neutral in moral tone

  • lure

    Stronger sense of trickery or deception, like using bait; more negative than 'entice'

  • coax

    Gentler, implies patient or kind persuasion rather than offering a reward

  • attract

    Broader meaning — does not necessarily involve active persuasion or offering incentives

Antonyms
  • deter

    To discourage someone from doing something by making it seem less appealing

  • discourage

    To make someone less likely to do something, opposite of encouraging with incentives

Grammar Patterns

entice + object + to-infinitive

entice + object + into + noun/-ing

entice + object + with + noun

be enticed + by/into + noun/-ing

Usage Note

Frequently used with 'into + noun/-ing' or 'to-infinitive' to specify the action you want the person to take. The object is usually a person or animal, not an inanimate thing. Unlike 'tempt', 'entice' usually carries no suggestion of wrongdoing.

Common Mistakes

The advertisement enticed me buying the product.
The advertisement enticed me into buying the product.
after 'entice + object', use 'into + -ing', not bare '-ing'.
She enticed him to came to the party.
She enticed him to come to the party.
the verb after 'to' must be in base form, not past tense.

Word family

  • enticing
    adjectiveB2
  • enticingly
    adverbC1
  • enticement
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These four verbs all involve getting someone to do something, but they differ in method and moral tone. 'Entice' is the most neutral — you offer a positive incentive that makes the outcome appealing, without any sense of trickery. 'Tempt' is similar but often carries the idea of testing self-control or leading someone toward something unwise (e.g., 'tempted to skip work'). 'Lure' implies baiting or deception, like using a trap (e.g., 'lured into a scam'). 'Coax' is gentlest, suggesting patient, kind persuasion with words rather than rewards (e.g., 'coaxed the cat out from under the bed'). 'Attract' is the broadest word — it simply means to draw interest naturally without any deliberate persuasion. For everyday situations where you offer a reward to change someone's mind, 'entice' fits best: the store enticed shoppers with a 50% discount. If the offer feels slightly dangerous or indulgent, use 'tempt' instead.

tempt ↗lure ↗coax ↗attract ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • entice someone away from
  • entice someone back to
  • entice someone out of

Prepositions

Etymology

Vulgar LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'entice' entered English in the 1200s from Old French 'enticier', meaning 'to stir up or provoke'. This French verb traces further back to a Vulgar Latin root meaning 'to set on fire' — the idea being that you kindle a spark of desire in someone, making them want what you are offering. The metaphor of 'lighting a fire of interest' still lives in the modern meaning of offering something appealing to get someone to act.