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Definition of temptation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

temptation

noun
 
/tempˈteɪʃn/
 
/tempˈteɪʃn/
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  1. [countable, uncountable] the desire to do or have something that you know is bad or wrong
    • the temptation of easy profits
    • to give way to/yield to temptation
    • I couldn't resist the temptation to open the letter.
    • Don't put temptation in his way by offering him cookies.
    Extra Examples
    • Don't give in to temptation.
    • Keep your valuables locked away so as not to put temptation in the way of thieves.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • great
    • huge
    • overwhelming
    verb + temptation
    • feel
    • have
    • avoid
    phrases
    • in temptation’s way
    • out of temptation’s way
    • put temptation in somebody’s way
    See full entry
  2. [countable] a thing that makes somebody want to do or have something that they know is bad or wrong
    • An expensive bicycle is a temptation to thieves.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • great
    • huge
    • overwhelming
    verb + temptation
    • feel
    • have
    • avoid
    phrases
    • in temptation’s way
    • out of temptation’s way
    • put temptation in somebody’s way
    See full entry
  3. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio(n-), from temptare ‘handle, test, try’.
See temptation in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee temptation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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