Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

seduce

/sɪˈd(j)uːs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.24 in modern English

Syllables: se-duce
IPA: /sɪˈd(j)uːs/

9

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To beguile or lure (someone) away from duty, accepted principles, or proper conduct; to lead astray.

Transitive verb

verb

To entice or induce (someone) to engage in a sexual relationship.

Transitive verb

verb

To have sexual intercourse with.

Transitive verb

verb

To win over or attract.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"[…] they alledged, That becauſe I had ſome Rudiments of Reaſon, added to the natural pravity of thoſe Animals, it was to be feared, I might be able to ſeduce them into the woody and mountainous parts of the Country, and bring them in Troops by night to deſtroy the Houyhnhnms Cattle, as being naturally of the ravenous kind, and averſe from Labour."
"As a parish priest in England he had dabbled in the black arts, seduced a number of his congregation from their faith and finally celebrated the Black Mass."
"Your father was seduced by the dark side of The Force."
"She also approaches the fires, and seeks to seduce young men."
""Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?" "Do you want me to seduce you?""
"He had repeatedly seduced the girl in his car, hotels and his home."

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin sēdūcō (“to lead apart or astray”), from sē- (“aside, away, astray”) + dūcō (“to lead”); see duct. Compare adduce, conduce, deduce, etc. and Middle English seduct.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: *dewk-, sēdūcō

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /sɪˈd(j)uːs/
British English: /sɪˈdjuːs/

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

seduces (present, singular) seducing (participle, present) seduced (participle, past) seduced (past)

Derived Forms

seduceable seducee seducible unseduce unseduced

Frequently Paired Words

seduction seductive seducive seducement seducer seductress

Synonyms

corrupt lead astray misguide bribe adulterate debauch demoralize detort file immoralize pervert pollute

Rhymes With

use produce reduce abuse excuse loose introduce juice bruce goose reproduce moose

Questions

How do you pronounce seduce?: The recorded pronunciation is /sɪˈd(j)uːs/.
What does seduce mean?: To beguile or lure (someone) away from duty, accepted principles, or proper conduct; to lead astray.
Where does seduce come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce seduce

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “seduce”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sɪˈd(j)uːs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “seduce”.
Repeat and practice — Say “seduce” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.