attract

present singular third person attracts · participle present attracting · participle past attracted · past attracted · first person past singular attracted · archaic present second person singular attractest · past second person singular attracted · archaic past second person singular attractedst · present singular third person attracts · archaic present singular third person attracteth · past singular third person attracted · past plural attracted · past subjunctive attracted · participle present attracting · participle past attracted

1. transitiveTo pull toward without touching.

   A magnet attracts iron filings.

   2 more examples

   All bodies, and all the parts of bodies, mutually attract themselves, and one another.

   1713, W[illiam] Derham, Physico-Theology: Or, A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God, from His Works of Creation. […], London: […] W[illiam] Innys, […], →OCLC

   The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.

   2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist

2. transitiveTo draw by moral, emotional or sexual influence; to engage or fix, as the mind, attention, etc.; to invite or allure.

   to attract admirers

   3 more examples

   Advertising is designed to attract customers.

   His big smile and brown eyes instantly attracted me.

   Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze.

   1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   Synonyms: beckon, appeal

3. transitiveTo incur.

   Using the minibar in a hotel room attracts additional charges.