enticing
UK: ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ | US: ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ
adj. attractive or tempting, often in a deceptive or alluring way
The word "enticing" derives from the Old French verb enticier, meaning "to lure or incite," which likely originated from Vulgar Latin intitiāre (a blend of Latin in- "into" + titiō "firebrand," metaphorically suggesting "to inflame desire"). The suffix -ing transforms the verb into an adjective, emphasizing the ongoing allure. Over time, "entice" evolved in Middle English to describe subtle persuasion, and "enticing" retained this sense of seductive appeal.
The bakery displayed an enticing array of pastries in the window.
Her offer of a free vacation sounded too enticing to refuse.
The advertisement used enticing visuals to draw customers.
He avoided the casino’s enticing lights, knowing their danger.
The novel’s enticing opening paragraph hooked readers immediately.