Appealing describes something that draws attention or arouses interest; it can refer to a request made to a higher authority in legal or official matters. The term conveys attractiveness or intrigue, often implying a persuasive or inviting quality. It can function as an adjective or, less commonly, as a verb form in phrases like 'appealing to' when describing appeal. In usage, it often signals positive resonance or persuasive appeal.
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"The new advertisement is highly appealing to teenagers."
"Her argument was appealing because it was clear and well-structured."
"The judge granted the appeal after reviewing the key evidence."
"The scenic view was appealing, making the long hike worthwhile."
Appealing comes from the verb phrase appeal, which itself derives from the Old French appealier, from Latin appealare, meaning to call upon, address, or request. The root word is capere in some medieval forms?; more accurately, Latin appellare means to name, call upon, or address. In Middle English, appeal (n. or v.) developed to mean a request for aid or favorable consideration, or a legal request to challenge a decision. By adding the -ing suffix, appealing activated the adjective form describing something that causes or invites a response—something that is attractive or attractive in nature. The modern sense of “appealing” as attractive or inviting dates from the 16th to 18th centuries as English expanded legal and rhetorical vocabularies. First known uses appear in legal and rhetorical treatises and in literary contexts where an argument or product might be described as appealing to a broad audience. Over time, the word has retained its core sense of inviting attention or approval, while also taking on the broader sense of something that is persuasive or emotionally engaging.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "appealing" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "appealing" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "appealing"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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You pronounce it as /əˈpiː.lɪŋ/ (uh-PEE-ling). The main stress is on the second syllable: /ˈpiː/. The first syllable is a schwa, and the ending is a short -ing. When spoken, your mouth opens for the /ə/ and then tightens to produce the long /iː/ before the light /lɪŋ/ final. Listen for the lilting, upbeat rhythm common in adjectives of praise.
Common errors include: 1) Misplacing stress on the first or last syllable instead of the secondary stress on the second syllable; 2) Shortening the /iː/ to a lax /ɪ/ in /ˈpiːl/; 3) Dropping the /l/ or making it a dark L. Correct these by practicing the clear /iː/ vowel, keeping the /l/ light and the final -ing as a quick, soft nasal before the velar closure. Use minimal pairs to fix duration and clarity.
In US, UK, and AU accents the core /əˈpiːlɪŋ/ remains, but vowel quality shifts slightly: US tends to a tighter /iː/ in the stressed /iː/ and a more rhotic, post-vocalic r-like coloration near the onset of a following vowel. UK and AU maintain non-rhoticity for the final -ing with a clear long /iː/ in the stressed syllable; AU may feature slightly more centralized /ɪ/ in the final syllable. Focus on the long /iː/ and the light, brief /lɪŋ/ ending across all three.
The difficulty lies in the two-part structure: the stressed long vowel /iː/ in the second syllable and the light, quick -ling ending. You must maintain a clean separation between /piː/ and /lɪŋ/ while keeping the /l/ light and the /ŋ/ soft. The surrounding vowels can tempt a reduced schwa in casual speech, which weakens the rhythm. Practice with exaggerated mouth positions, then taper to natural speed.
The unique feature is the combination of a strong syllable onset with the long /iː/ and the following alveolar /l/ immediately before the velar -ing suffix. It's a tri-syllabic rhythm that benefits from crisp consonant timing: a high, tense vowel onset for /iː/, a light /l/ and a soft nasal -ing. Pay attention to the transition from /iː/ to /l/ to avoid merging the /l/ with the final nasal.
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