attracted
attracted — verb
- attractedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- attracteds3rd person singular
- attracteding-ing form
- attractededpast simple
1. to make someone or something want to come closer, pay attention, or become invol
to make someone or something want to come closer, pay attention, or become involved because of a quality that appeals to them
Chidi's warm smile attracted many customers to his small bakery.
attract + noun phrase (person) + to + place
The bright colours of the flower display attracted butterflies from across the garden.
inanimate subject attracts + noun (animal)
A generous salary package attracted several skilled engineers to the company.
Reema was attracted by the quiet atmosphere of the lakeside café.
The museum's new exhibition attracted over ten thousand visitors in the first week.
- repel
to push away or cause dislike; the direct opposite in both physical and figurative senses
文法句型
attract + noun phrase (object)
be attracted by + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'to' (attracted someone TO a place/thing) or 'by' (was attracted BY something). The subject can be either a person's quality or a feature of an object or place.
常見錯誤
2. to feel a romantic or physical desire for someone, wanting to be near them or be
to feel a romantic or physical desire for someone, wanting to be near them or begin a relationship with them
Hoa felt attracted to the woman with the kind eyes from the very start.
feel attracted to + person + descriptive phrase
James was attracted to Lisa mainly because of her sense of humour.
be attracted to + someone's quality
Cyrus wondered why he kept being attracted to people who lived far away.
The two dancers were strongly attracted to each other and later became a couple.
- drawn to
slightly softer, can be romantic or non-romantic; 'felt drawn to' implies a natural pull
- captivated by
stronger, often implies being completely enchanted
- repulsed by
strongly put off or disgusted by someone
文法句型
be attracted to + noun phrase (person)
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice ('be attracted to'). The active form ('She attracts him') is possible but less common and can sound more general than romantic.
常見錯誤
3. to be drawn to a subject, activity, or type of thing because you enjoy it, find
to be drawn to a subject, activity, or type of thing because you enjoy it, find it appealing, or want to learn more about it
As a child, Luca was attracted to anything related to space and astronomy.
be attracted to + broad category
Lisa has always been attracted to minimalist design in furniture and clothing.
Many young people are attracted to careers in renewable energy these days.
The part-time course attracted students who wanted to learn Japanese calligraphy.
- interested in
more neutral, less emotional; the most common alternative for this sense
- drawn to
suggests a natural or instinctive pull rather than a reasoned choice
- fascinated by
stronger; implies deep curiosity or wonder
- indifferent to
not caring one way or the other; neutral
文法句型
be attracted to + noun phrase (activity/thing)
attract + noun phrase (person)
用法筆記
When used in the active voice ('the course attracted students'), the subject is the appealing thing. In the passive ('she was attracted to design'), the person is the focus. Distinguish from sense 2 by the object: a thing or activity vs. a person.
常見錯誤
4. to pull an object toward another by a natural physical force, such as magnetism,
to pull an object toward another by a natural physical force, such as magnetism, electricity, or gravity
The magnet attracted the iron filings with a sudden, strong pull.
attract + specific physical object
Opposite electrical charges attract each other, while identical charges push apart.
scientific context with 'each other'
A black hole's gravity attracts everything nearby, including light itself.
After being rubbed on wool, the plastic comb attracted tiny bits of paper.
- repel
the scientific opposite in magnetism and electricity
文法句型
attract + noun phrase (object)
be attracted to + noun phrase (by physical force)
用法筆記
The direct opposite in physics is 'repel'. This sense is used in both formal scientific writing and everyday descriptions of magnets and static electricity. The active voice is the default here, unlike senses 2 and 3 where passive is more typical.