tempt

To tempt someone is to make them want to do something, often something they shouldn't do or something they are trying to avoid. Think of a delicious chocolate cake sitting on the counter: it might tempt you even if you're trying to eat better.

The word often carries a sense of giving in to desire or making a poor choice. Stories often show characters being tempted by evil forces, like the serpent tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden. You can also be tempted by something hard to resist. In the special phrase tempt fate, the meaning changes a little: it means to take an unnecessary risk and invite trouble.

To tempt means to entice or attract someone with the promise of pleasure or reward, often leading them towards something considered wrong, risky, or undesirable. It's more than just offering something appealing; it implies a deliberate attempt to persuade someone to give in to a desire they might otherwise resist. For example: "The aroma of freshly baked bread tempted her to break her diet," or "He was tempted to cheat on the exam but knew it wasn't right."

Temptation isn't always about material things. It can involve moral choices, risky behaviors, or simply giving in to laziness. You might be tempted to procrastinate instead of working on an important project, or a politician might be tempted by bribes.

The word also has a slightly different nuance when used idiomatically—as in the phrase "to tempt fate." This means to deliberately risk something bad happening, often through reckless behavior. A daredevil who attempts a dangerous stunt is said to be tempting fate.

Historically, "tempt" comes from the Old French word tempter, meaning "to try," but it quickly took on the connotation of testing someone's resolve or virtue. This connection to moral struggle remains strong in modern usage, particularly in religious and literary contexts.

So, whether it's a delicious treat, a risky adventure, or a difficult choice, to tempt is to present an alluring possibility that challenges willpower and invites indulgence—or danger.