English · Word Candidate

lure

/ˈlʊə̯/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: lures · luring · lured

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Something that tempts or attracts, especially one with a promise of reward or pleasure.

Noun

Examples

How many have with a smile made small account Of Beauty and her lures

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An artificial bait attached to a fishing line to attract fish.

Noun

Examples

the inch-at-a-time flutter of a surface lure

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To attract by temptation, appeal, or guile.

Verb

Examples

It had been sixteen years since the BBC’s Grace Wyndham Goldie wrote her internal memo about luring him back to make sociological/scientific TV programmes. Now a second note had circulated, from the science department, proposing that he should present the Corporation’s next educative megaseries.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To attract fish with a lure.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “lure” mean?

Something that tempts or attracts, especially one with a promise of reward or pleasure.

Is “lure” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.