tempt

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb dispose or incline or entice to
  2. verb provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
  3. verb give rise to a desire by being attractive or inviting

Etymology

From Middle English tempten, from Old French tempter (French: tenter), from Latin temptare, from tentare (“to handle, touch, try, test, tempt”), frequentative of tendere (“to stretch”). Displaced native English costning (“temptation”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

allure

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