Come-hither Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms come-hither American [kuhm-hith-er, kuh-mith-] / ˌkʌmˈhɪð ər, kəˈmɪð- /

adjective

1. inviting or enticing, especially in a sexually provocative manner; beckoning.

   a come-hither look.

come-hither British

adjective

1. informal (usually prenominal) alluring; seductive

   a come-hither look

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• come-hitherness noun

Etymology

Origin of come-hither

First recorded in 1895–1900; adj., noun use of imperative phrase come hither

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So the multiple millions of Southern California come-hither beach postcards generated from the late 19th century well into the 20th were of many colors, all right — the water, the sky, the umbrellas, the swimsuits — everything but the people.

From Los Angeles Times

I couldn’t immediately discern the burger’s Philippine features despite its famous tagline, “langhap sarap,” a sort of fast-food come-hither that means “delicious aroma” in Tagalog.

From Washington Post

Just as familiar as her face to anyone who has watched TV or movies in the past 40 years are Smart’s dazzlingly deadpan line readings, her come-hither drawl and her signature sharp cackle.

From Washington Post

With his effervescent eyes and come-hither demeanor, he’s gone viral lip-syncing hit '80s songs for cougar TikTok: middle-aged moms.

From Fox News

“She definitely had a sweetness in her features — a kind of innocent sweetness, not a come-hither sweetness at all … She still looked great.”

From Washington Post

Related Words

• allurement

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.