Attractively

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /əˈtɹæk.tɪv.li/

Definitions

1. In a pleasing or appealing manner that draws interest or admiration
2. In a way that causes pleasure or delight through appearance or manner
3. With qualities that charm or engage others positively

Etymology: Attractively is a plain formation: the adjective "attractive" plus the suffix "-ly", which turns an adjective into an adverb of manner. The suffix itself has a long history. It descends from a Proto-Germanic word meaning "body" or "form," which is also the source of the English word "like" in its older sense of "having the form of." Over the centuries that element came to mean "in the manner of," so "-ly" carries the sense of "in such a way." The adjective "attractive" comes from Latin "attractivus," built on "attrahere," meaning "to draw to." The notion of pulling something toward oneself lies behind both the physical sense of drawing and the later sense of drawing someone's interest or admiration. Adding "-ly" to such an adjective produces an adverb describing how something is done in a way that draws others in.

Synonyms: appealingly, charmingly

Antonyms: unattractively, repulsively