tempt
pronunciation
How to pronounce tempt in British English:
UK [tempt]
How to pronounce tempt in American English:
US [tempt]
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- Verb:
- dispose or incline or entice to
- provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
- give rise to a desire by being attractive or inviting
- induce into action by using one's charm
- try to seduce
- try presumptuously
Word Origin
- tempt (v.)
- c. 1200, of the devil, flesh, etc., "draw or entice to evil or sin, lure (someone) from God's law; be alluring or seductive," from Old French tempter (12c.), from Latin temptare "to feel, try out, attempt to influence, test," a variant of tentare "handle, touch, try, test." The Latin alteration is "explainable only as an ancient error due to some confusion" [Century Dictionary]. From late 14c. as "to provoke, defy" (God, fate, etc.). Related: Tempted; tempting.
Example
- 1. The existing profits could also tempt a chinese buyer .
- 2. Repealing the ban would tempt more to invest in mexican property .
- 3. To tempt a first star to a tremor .
- 4. The hope is that a successful airport privatisation will tempt the government to further pragmatism .
- 5. That might tempt more indians to leave the wretchedness of the reserves .