Definition of TEMPT

tempt

Meanings

Verb

  • dispose or incline or entice to
    • "We were tempted by the delicious-looking food"
  • provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
    • "He lured me into temptation"
  • give rise to a desire by being attractive or inviting
    • "the window displays tempted the shoppers"
  • induce into action by using one's charm
  • try to seduce
  • try presumptuously
    • "St. Anthony was tempted in the desert"
  • To provoke someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward; to entice.
  • To attract; to allure.
  • To provoke something; to court.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English tempten, from Old French tempter (French: tenter), from Latin temptare, from tentare (“to handle, touch, try, test, tempt”), frequentative of tendere (“to stretch”). Displaced native English costning (“temptation”).

Scrabble Score: 9

tempt is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
tempt is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
tempt is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

tempt is a valid Words With Friends word