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Tantalising: meaning, definitions and examples

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tantalising

 

[ หˆtรฆn.tษ™l.aษช.zษชล‹ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

desire, curiosity

Tantalising refers to something that is extremely attractive or tempting but just out of reach. It is often used to describe experiences, sights, or smells that provoke anticipation or desire, making someone yearn for more. The term suggests a sense of frustration derived from the allure of something unattainable. This sensation can apply to food, opportunities, or even information, creating a compelling blend of excitement and longing.

Synonyms

alluring, enticing, teasing, tempting

Examples of usage

  • The tantalising aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air.
  • He gave a tantalising glimpse of the surprise party he was planning.
  • The movie trailer was tantalising, leaving the audience eager for the release.
  • The tantalising prospect of a vacation had everyone dreaming of the beach.

Translations

Translations of the word "tantalising" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น tentador

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเฅเคญเคพเคตเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช verlockend

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menggoda

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฟะพะบัƒัะปะธะฒะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kuszฤ…cy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ญ…ๆƒ‘็š„ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tantalant

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ tentador

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท cezbetici

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋งคํ˜น์ ์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุซูŠุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™itaลพlivรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ pรดvabnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฏฑไบบ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zapeljiv

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ aรฐlaรฐandi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะฐั€ั‚ั‹ะผะดั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒ›แƒแƒชแƒฃแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ cazibษ™dar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ tentador

Etymology

The word 'tantalising' is derived from the character Tantalus in Greek mythology. Tantalus was a king who was punished by the gods for his misdeeds by being made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree. Whenever he reached for the fruit, it would recede beyond his grasp, and whenever he bent down to drink, the water would vanish. This myth encapsulates the essence of desire and frustration, which is reflected in the term 'tantalising.' The word entered the English language in the early 17th century, evolving from the noun 'tantalus' to its present adjectival form by the late 19th century. Its usage has expanded to widely describe anything that provokes a strong desire or anticipation but remains just out of reach, maintaining the mythical connotation of longing and unattainability.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,502 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.