A lure is something that attracts or tempts someone toward it, often by offering something desirable. Fishermen use lures, artificial bait designed to look like small fish or insects, to trick larger fish into biting their hooks. The shiny colors and wiggling movement of a fishing lure can make it irresistible to a hungry bass.

The word applies beyond fishing to anything that draws someone in. A carnival might use the lure of prizes and games to attract visitors. A scammer might use the lure of easy money to trick people into a dishonest scheme. Even the smell of fresh cookies can lure you into the kitchen.

The word often carries a hint of caution. While fishing lures are just tools, when we say someone was lured into something, it sometimes suggests they were tricked or tempted into a situation they might regret. A character in a story might be lured into a trap by following mysterious music through the forest. The key idea is attraction: something so appealing or interesting that it pulls you toward it, whether that turns out well or badly.