Use lure when the attraction feels strong, tempting, or slightly risky. It often appears in the pattern the lure of followed by fame, money, power, adventure, or an easier life.
Use lure when the attraction feels strong, tempting, or slightly risky. It often appears in the pattern the lure of followed by fame, money, power, adventure, or an easier life.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| the lure to easy money | the lure of easy money |
| a lure of customers | a lure for customers |
| He felt lure of fame | He felt the lure of fame |
Use lure for artificial bait, especially in fishing. In outdoor contexts it usually means a made object with a hook, color, movement, sound, or scent that attracts an animal.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| a lure for catch fish | a lure for catching fish |
| I put a lure in the hook | I put a lure on the hook |
| This lure attracts to bass | This lure attracts bass |
Use lure in this sense mainly in falconry or historical writing. It is more specific than ordinary bait because it names a training and recall tool.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The falconer swung bait for the hawk. | The falconer swung a lure for the hawk. |
| The hawk returned on the lure. | The hawk returned to the lure. |
| The lure recalled back the hawk. | The lure recalled the hawk. |
Use lure when the attraction is active and may involve temptation, strategy, or deception. It often takes an object plus a direction, as in lure customers into a store or lure someone away.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| They lured to customers with discounts. | They lured customers with discounts. |
| The smell lured me to enter into the cafe. | The smell lured me into the cafe. |
| The offer lured him accept the job. | The offer lured him to accept the job. |
Use lure for attraction with a tempting pull, not just neutral interest. It can be positive in travel or marketing, but it often suggests risk, manipulation, or a trap.
The lure to fame should be the lure of fame. As a verb, lure usually takes a direct object, as in lure customers, not lure to customers.
From Middle English lure, borrowed from Anglo-French lure or leure. The noun first referred to a falconer's object used to call back a hawk, then broadened to bait, attraction, and temptation. The verb developed from the noun in Middle English. The older French word is of Germanic origin and is related to words for bait or invitation.
What does lure mean?
It means a tempting attraction or decoy. As a verb, it means to draw or persuade someone or something by offering pleasure, gain, or advantage.
Is lure a noun or a verb?
It is both. A lure can be an attraction or a fishing decoy, and to lure means to attract or entice.
What is the difference between lure and attract?
Attract is neutral and broad. Lure usually suggests a stronger pull, a promise of reward, or sometimes deception.
What does the lure of money mean?
It means the tempting power or attraction that money has.
What is a fishing lure?
A fishing lure is artificial bait designed to attract fish, often by its shape, color, movement, or flash.
What are the forms of the verb lure?
The main forms are lure, lures, lured, and luring.
Is lure always negative?
No. It can be neutral or positive, but it often carries a hint of temptation, risk, or strategic persuasion.