Tantalizing
/ˈtæn.tə.laɪ.zɪŋ/noun
Arousing desire or curiosity by offering something desirable but keeping it just out of reach.
Did you know?Tantalizing comes from Tantalus, the Greek mythic figure punished in Hades with unreachable water and fruit, so the word literally preserves a story of divine torment.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Τάνταλος (Tántalos)
“Tantalus, the mythic figure punished with unreachable food and water”
Late Latin
Latin
Tantalus
“The same mythological name, used in learned reference”
16th Century
English
tantalize
“To torment by presenting something desirable and withholding it”
18th Century
English
tantalizing
“Present participle adjective meaning enticing but frustratingly out of reach”
Modern English
English
tantalizing
“Arousing desire or curiosity while keeping fulfillment just beyond reach”
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