WordGarden.iotempt
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɛmpt/
US
- /ˈtɛmpt/
Meanings
Verb
to make someone want to do or have something, often something unwise
Beyond the definition
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.
Examples
- 1
Bakery
The smell of fresh bread tempted me to stop at the bakery.
- 2
Private choice
I was tempted to tell him the truth, but I stayed quiet.
- Patternbe tempted to do X
feel that you want to do it
- 3
Career idea
She was tempted by the idea of working abroad for a year.
- Patterntempted by + idea/offer
attracted by it or interested in it
- 4
Customer offer
The bank tried to tempt new customers with a cash bonus.
- Patterntempt someone with + offer
try to attract them by offering it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Travel decision
Cheap flights tempted them into booking a last-minute trip.
- Patterntempt someone into doing X
make them decide to do it
- 6
Stress eating
Even after months of dieting, chocolate still tempts her when she's stressed.
- 7
Risk warning
We've been lucky so far, so let's not tempt fate by ignoring the weather warning.
- Phrasetempt fate
take an unnecessary risk, as if inviting bad luck
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- tempt someone to do something
- tempt someone with something
- be tempted to
- too tempting to resist
Word family
Explore
- persuasion
- self-control
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- temptverb
Forms
- temptedpast tenseverb
- tempting-ing formverb
- temptsverb