different between attractive vs nymphet

English

Etymology

From Middle French attractif, from Late Latin attractivus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??t?ækt?v/
• Rhymes: -ækt?v

Adjective

attractive (comparative more attractive, superlative most attractive)

1. Causing attraction; having the quality of attracting by inherent force.
2. Having the power of charming or alluring by agreeable qualities; enticing.

   That's a very attractive offer.

3. Pleasing or appealing to the senses, especially of the opposite sex.

   He is an attractive fellow with a trim figure.

Synonyms

• (causing attraction): magnetic
• (having the ability to charm): See Thesaurus:attractive
• (pleasing or appealing to the senses): See Thesaurus:beautiful

Antonyms

• (having the power of charming): repulsive, ugly
• (pleasing or appealing to the senses): repulsive, ugly
• unattractive

Hyponyms

Related terms

Translations

References

• attractive on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• attractive in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• attractive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.t?ak.tiv/

Adjective

attractive

1. feminine singular of attractif

Latin

Adjective

attract?ve

1. vocative masculine singular of attract?vus

English

Alternative forms

• nymphette

Etymology

From nymph +? -et (“diminutive”), first attested 1612. The second sense was popularized by Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel Lolita.

Noun

nymphet (plural nymphets)

1. (obsolete) A small nymph. [17th-19th c.]
   • 1612 Michael Drayton, Poly-Olbion I. xi. Argt. 171:

     Of the nymphets sporting there In Wyrrall, and in Delamere.

2. A sexually attractive girl or young woman. [from 20th c.]

Usage notes

More common than the alternative spelling nymphette, which uses the more standard feminine suffix -ette.

Synonyms

• jailbait, lolita, nymph

Translations

References

• The changing English language, Brian Foster, 1968, pp. 185–186 – on spelling nymphet versus nymphette