Etymology Map
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Lure

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means something that attracts; to tempt

Where does the word "lure" come from? It comes from Frankish luoder, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
luoder
Frankish · ancient
"bait"
a Frankish word for bait, related to German 'Luder'
2
Stage 2 of 3
loirre
Old French · medieval
"falconer's lure"
a device of feathers to recall a hawk
3
Stage 3 of 3
lure
English · 1300s
"falconer's device"
fishing 'lures' date from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Lure’s story begins in Frankish: luoder meant “bait.” A Frankish word for bait, related to German 'Luder'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as loirre. A device of feathers to recall a hawk. It reached English by 1300s as lure. Fishing 'lures' date from the 1800s. Today, lure means something that attracts; to tempt.