What does enticed mean?
"Enticed" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "entice," meaning to attract or tempt someone by offering something desirable or appealing. When a person is enticed, they are drawn toward an action, place, or choice through the promise of pleasure, gain, or advantage — whether that is the smell of fresh bread luring someone into a shop, a salary bonus persuading a worker to change jobs, or flattery coaxing someone into agreement. The word sits somewhere between neutral attraction and deliberate seduction: in ordinary contexts it simply describes appealing allure, but it can carry a subtle suggestion of manipulation, particularly when someone is enticed into something unwise or against their better judgment. It appears frequently in passive constructions such as "enticed by" or "enticed into." Related forms include the noun "enticement," meaning a thing that tempts or attracts.
verbPast tense and past participle of "entice": to attract or tempt someone by offering something desirable or appealing.
- To attract or tempt someone by offering pleasure, advantage, or something desirable.
- To persuade or lead someone to do something through temptation or allurement.
"The aroma of fresh bread enticed her into the bakery."
"The promise of a signing bonus enticed him to accept the job."
"She was enticed into investing by assurances of guaranteed returns."
Despite centuries of tempting people, no one knows for certain where "entice" originally came from — even etymologists find its origins elusive.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enticed
The verb "entice" entered English in the late Middle Ages, borrowed from the Old French "enticier." The ultimate origin of the French verb is uncertain, though it may relate to a word for a firebrand or means of setting alight — a fitting image for kindling desire. From it English also derived the noun "enticement" and the adjective "enticing," both well established by early modern times.
Related word forms
How enticed is actually used
Neutral to mildly positive in everyday contexts (food, offers, opportunities), but it can carry a slightly manipulative undertone when describing persuasion toward something risky or unwise. Commonly used in passive constructions: "was enticed by/into/with."
Easily confused with enticed
"Incited" means to provoke or stir up action (often negative, as in violence), while "enticed" means to tempt someone toward something desirable.