When something has appeal, it attracts you or seems interesting and desirable. A book with strong appeal makes you want to keep reading. A new flavor of ice cream might have wide appeal, meaning lots of people find it tempting. Politicians talk about ideas that will appeal to voters, hoping to win their support.

The word also describes asking a higher authority to review a decision you think was wrong. When a team appeals a referee's call, they're asking officials to reconsider. In courts, lawyers appeal verdicts they believe are unjust, taking the case to higher judges who review what happened.

Notice how both meanings share a sense of reaching out: either reaching out to attract interest, or reaching out to a higher authority for help. When a teacher appeals to students' curiosity, she's trying to spark their interest. When someone appeals a parking ticket, they're asking officials to look at the situation again.

The related word appealing describes something attractive or likeable. An appealing dessert looks delicious. An appealing friend is someone whose company you enjoy. Something can be appealing because it's beautiful, interesting, fun, or just right for what you need at that moment.