tempt Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb dispose or incline or entice to
    allure.
    • We were tempted by the delicious-looking food
  2. verb provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
    lure; entice.
    • He lured me into temptation
  3. verb give rise to a desire by being attractive or inviting
    invite.
    • the window displays tempted the shoppers
  4. verb induce into action by using one's charm
    influence; charm.
    • She charmed him into giving her all his money
  5. verb try to seduce
  6. verb try presumptuously
    • St. Anthony was tempted in the desert

WordNet

Tempt transitive verb
Etymology
OE. tempten, tenten, from OF. tempter, tenter, F. tenter, fr. L. tentare, temptare, to handle, feel, attack, to try, put to the test, urge, freq. from tendere, tentum, and tensum, to stretch. See Thin, and cf. Attempt, Tend, Taunt, Tent a pavilion, Tent to probe.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Tempted; present participle & verbal noun Tempting
Definitions
  1. To put to trial; to prove; to test; to try.
    God did tempt Abraham. Gen. xxii. 1.
    Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God. Deut. vi. 16.
  2. To lead, or endeavor to lead, into evil; to entice to what is wrong; to seduce.
    Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James i. 14.
  3. To endeavor to persuade; to induce; to invite; to incite; to provoke; to instigate.
    Tempt not the brave and needy to despair. Dryden.
    Nor tempt the wrath of heaven's avenging Sire. Pope.
  4. To endeavor to accomplish or reach; to attempt.
    Ere leave be given to tempt the nether skies. Dryden.
    Syn. -- To entice; allure; attract; decoy; seduce.

Webster 1913