Allettato

Allettato is an Italian adjective and the past participle of the verb allettare, meaning to entice, attract, or lure someone into doing something. It describes a state of being tempted or seduced by a promise, appeal, or opportunity. The sense can be neutral, as in being attracted to something, or negative when it implies being misled or swayed by an appealing but potentially risky proposition.

Etymology and usage notes: allettare derives from Latin allectare “to entice,” from allectus “allured,” itself linked to al- (toward) and llectere (to lure). In modern Italian, allettato is used with essere or avere in compound tenses, as in essere allettato or allettare qualcuno. The noun corresponding to the act is allettamento and the concept of being tempted can appear in various formal or literary registers.

Typical contexts: allettato is commonly employed to describe someone who has been persuaded by an attractive offer, promise, or situation. Examples include being allettato by a lucrative job opportunity, by a tempting deal, or by the prospect of fame. The term can carry a neutral nuance or a critical one, depending on whether the temptation leads to beneficial or problematic outcomes.

Sinonimi and related terms: tentare, sedurre, attirare, incuriosire, attiramento. Related forms include the noun allettamento and the verb allettare. In contrast, allietato (not allettato) refers to pleasing or cheering, a distinct word with a different meaning.

See also: allettamento, tentazione, seduzione.