v., tempt·ed, tempt·ing, tempts. v.tr.
- To try to get (someone) to do wrong, especially by a promise of reward.
- To be inviting or attractive to: A second helping tempted me. We refused the offer even though it tempted us. See synonyms at lure.
- To provoke or to risk provoking: Don't tempt fate.
- To cause to be strongly disposed: He was tempted to walk out.
To be attractive or inviting: a meal that tempts.
[Middle English tempten, from Old French tempter, from Latin temptāre, to feel, try.]
temptable tempt'a·ble adj.tempter tempt'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
