What does seduce mean?
Seduce means to attract someone strongly, especially through romantic or sexual appeal, or to entice them into an action they might otherwise avoid. The word often suggests that temptation has overcome someone's caution, judgment, or resistance: a performer seduces an audience, while a tempting offer may seduce a customer into buying something. Although the first sense is now prominent, seduce also has the broader meaning of leading someone away from their intended course through allure or persuasion. In both uses, it conveys an effect that is difficult to resist and may sometimes imply deception or manipulation. The word is useful because it captures not simply attraction, but the movement it produces: a person or thing draws another person toward an emotional, romantic, sexual, or unwise course of action.
To attract someone sexually or romantically and lead them into sexual relations.
"She tried to seduce him with a provocative smile."
Often implies strong attraction or the overcoming of resistance.
To entice someone into doing something, especially something unwise or contrary to their interests.
"The promise of an easy profit seduced him into investing everything."
This broader use often has a negative or manipulative connotation.
The word seduce comes from the Latin for “lead away,” a fitting origin for something that draws a person beyond their original intention.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of seduce
The English word comes from Latin seducere, literally “to lead apart” or “to lead away.” Its elements se- and ducere are also the source of English words such as conduct, introduce, and produce, all of which involve leading or bringing. The verb entered English in the early 16th century and initially could mean leading someone away or drawing them into a course of action; its familiar modern association with sexual attraction developed later.
Related word forms
How seduce is actually used
The verb is commonly used with a sexual or romantic sense and can imply that the other person's judgment or resistance was overcome. In its broader sense, it often carries a negative or manipulative connotation.
Easily confused with seduce
Seducing commonly implies sexual or romantic attraction, whereas luring more generally means attracting someone with a deceptive or tempting inducement.