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Added 2 October 2026

lure

/lʊə/ noun

In Latin: illecebra Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about lure at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Something that tempts or attracts, especially one with a promise of reward or pleasure.
An artificial bait attached to a fishing line to attract fish.
A bunch of feathers attached to a line, used in falconry to recall the hawk.

verb

To attract by temptation, appeal, or guile.
To attract fish with a lure.
To recall a hawk with a lure.

noun

Alternative form of lur.

Origin

From Anglo-Norman lure, from Old French loirre (Modern French leurre), from Frankish *lōþr, from Proto-Germanic *lōþr-, perhaps ultimately related to *laþō (“invitation, calling”), or from Proto-Indo-European *leh₂- (“to hide”). Compare English allure, also from Old French. Probably related to German Luder (“bait”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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