tempt */*/

tempt */*/
UK [tempt] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "tempt":
present tense I/you/we/they tempt he/she/it tempts present participle tempting past tense tempted past participle tempted
1) [often passive] to make you want to do or to have something, especially something that is not good for you

The shop windows were lit invitingly, tempting the late shoppers.

"Do you want another drink?" "I'm tempted."

be tempted to do something:

Don't be tempted to spend too much.

tempt someone into (doing) something:

You try to tempt the defender into making a tackle.

a) used about something that is wrong or dangerous

I was sorely (= strongly) tempted to hit him.

Unemployment undoubtedly increases the number of those tempted into crime.

b) used about something that is good or attractive

The programmes are designed to tempt young people into engineering.

2) to try to persuade someone to do something wrong by offering them a reward if they do it

Jesus was tempted by the Devil.

•

I'm tempted/I'd be tempted to do something — mainly spoken used as a polite way of saying what you want to do, or what you think should be done

I'm tempted to call the police.

I'd be tempted to put the title in bigger letters.

tempt fate/providence — to say or to do something that may cause problems, or to cause your good luck to end

Don't tempt fate by saying we can win.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tempt — S3 [tempt] v [T] [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: tempter, tenter, from Latin temptare, tentare to feel, try, tempt ] 1.) to try to persuade someone to do something by making it seem attractive tempt sb into doing sth ▪ The new program is… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tempt — [ tempt ] verb transitive ** 1. ) often passive to make you want to do or have something, especially something that is not good for you: The store windows were lit invitingly, tempting the late shoppers. Do you want another drink? I m tempted. be …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Tempt — Tempt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tempted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Tempting}.] [OE. tempten, tenten, from OF. tempter, tenter, F. tenter, fr. L. tentare, temptare, to handle, feel, attack, to try, put to the test, urge, freq. from tendere, tentum, and tensum …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tempt´er — tempt «tehmpt», transitive verb. 1. to make or try to make (a person) do something: »The sight of the food tempted the hungry man to steal. SYNONYM(S): lure, inveigle, decoy. 2. to appeal strongly to; attract: »That candy tempts me. SYNONYM( …   Useful english dictionary

  • tempt — ► VERB 1) entice (someone) to do something against their better judgement. 2) (be tempted to do) have an urge or inclination to do. 3) attract; charm. ● tempt fate (or providence) Cf. ↑tempt providence …   English terms dictionary

  • tempt — interj. = timpt 1: Tame akies mirksnyje tempt jį už apykaklės, jis drioks aukštynelkas TS1904,4(Vaižg) …   Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language

  • tempt — [tempt] vt. [ME tempten < OFr tempter < LL(Ec) temptare < L, to try the strength of, urge < IE * temp : see TEMPER] 1. Archaic to test; try 2. to try to persuade; induce or entice, esp. to something immoral or sensually pleasurable 3 …   English World dictionary

  • tempt — index bait (lure), cajole, coax, entice, entrap, interest, inveigle, lure, motivate …   Law dictionary

  • tempt — (v.) early 13c., from O.Fr. tempter (12c.), from L. temptare to feel, try out, attempt to influence, test. Related: Tempted; tempting in the sense of inviting is from 1590s …   Etymology dictionary

  • tempt — v. allure, entice, tantalize, seduce …   English contemporary dictionary

  • tempt — entice, inveigle, *lure, decoy, seduce Analogous words: allure, *attract: *invite, solicit, court, woo: *induce, persuade, prevail, get …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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