Bait vs. Lure — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Bait is usually a substance or object used to attract prey, often consumable. Lure is a device or implement designed to attract and deceive, generally not consumed by the prey. Bait is often organic; Lures are typically artificial.
Difference Between Bait and Lure
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Key Differences
Bait is often organic, such as food or pheromones.
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Bait is typically a consumable substance used to attract animals for hunting, fishing, or trapping.
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Lure, on the other hand, is generally an inedible object designed to mimic the appearance or behavior of prey.
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Lure is reusable, making it a longer-lasting option for attracting prey.
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Lure is usually artificial, created from materials like plastic, metal, or feathers.
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Bait is often used in static hunting methods like traps and stationary fishing lines.
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Bait usually decomposes over time, necessitating replacement.
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Lure is often designed to attract specific types of fish or animals through visual or auditory means.
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Lure is commonly used in active fishing techniques that involve movement, such as trolling or casting.
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Bait can attract a wide range of animals depending on what substance is used.
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Comparison Chart
Definitions
Bait
An edible or appetizing item used in hunting or fishing.
She cut up worms for fish bait.
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Lure
A device used to attract fish or other animals.
He bought a new lure for his fishing trip.
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Bait
Organic matter used in traps.
He put raw meat as bait in the bear trap.
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Lure
An object used in active fishing techniques.
She used a spinning lure to catch the bass.
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Lure
A reusable tool in hunting or fishing.
Lures can be used multiple times, unlike bait.
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Bait
Food placed on a hook or in a net, trap, or fishing area to entice fish or other animals as prey
Herrings make excellent bait for pike
Fishing with live baits
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Lure
A form of enticement or temptation.
The offer was just a lure to get him to sign up.
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Lure
Something that tempts or attracts with the promise of pleasure or reward
The lure of the open road.
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Bait
Deliberately annoy or taunt (someone)
The other boys revelled in baiting him about his love of literature
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Lure
An attraction or appeal
Living on the ocean has a lure for many retirees.
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Bait
Put bait on (a hook) or in (a trap, net, or fishing area) to entice fish or animals
I used a hook baited with fat
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Lure
A decoy used in catching animals, especially an artificial bait used in catching fish.
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Bait
Food or other lure placed on a hook or in a trap and used in the taking of fish, birds, or other animals.
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Lure
A bunch of feathers attached to a long cord, used in falconry to recall the hawk.
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Lure
To attract or entice, especially by wiles or temptation
Customers were lured to the store by ads promising big discounts.
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Bait
An enticement, temptation, or provocation
He did not take the bait by responding to the taunt and getting drawn into an argument.
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Lure
Something that tempts or attracts, especially one with a promise of reward or pleasure.
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Bait
To entice or provoke, especially by trickery or strategy
He baited me into selling him my bike by saying how much I deserved a better one.
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Lure
(fishing) An artificial bait attached to a fishing line to attract fish.
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Lure
(falconry) A bunch of feathers attached to a line, used in falconry to recall the hawk.
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Bait
To taunt or torment (someone), as with persistent insults or ridicule
"He baited him mercilessly and had all sorts of unpleasant names for him" (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala).
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Bait
Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
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Bait
Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
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Lure
A contrivance somewhat resembling a bird, and often baited with raw meat; - used by falconers in recalling hawks.
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Bait
Anything which allures; something used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something
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Lure
Any enticement; that which invites by the prospect of advantage or pleasure; a decoy.
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Bait
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
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Lure
To draw to the lure; hence, to allure or invite by means of anything that promises pleasure or advantage; to entice; to attract.
I am not lured with love.
And various science lures the learned eye.
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Bait
(internet slang) A post intended to get a rise out of others.
Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.
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Lure
Provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion;
He lured me into temptation
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Lure
An artificial object designed to mimic prey.
The lure looked like a small fish.
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Bait
(transitive) To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.
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Bait
(transitive) To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
To bait a bear with dogs;
To bait a bull
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Bait
(transitive) To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
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Bait
To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
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Bait
(intransitive) (of a horse or other animal) To take food, especially during a journey.
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Bait
(intransitive) (of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.
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Bait
To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
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Bait
Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.
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Bait
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
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Bait
To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.
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Bait
To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses.
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Bait
To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm.
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Bait
To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey.
Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket.
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Bait
To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
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Bait
Harass with persistent criticism or carping;
The children teased the new teacher
Don't ride me so hard over my failure
His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
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Bait
A substance used to attract animals or fish.
He used cheese as bait for the mouse trap.
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Bait
An enticement or allure, sometimes metaphorical.
The low prices served as bait for customers.
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FAQs
Is Lure artificial?
Lures are typically made of artificial materials like plastic or metal.
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What is Bait?
Bait is a consumable substance or object used to attract prey.
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What is Lure?
Lure is a non-consumable object designed to attract and deceive prey.
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Can Bait attract multiple species?
Yes, depending on the bait used, it can attract a variety of animals.
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When is Bait used?
Bait is used in static hunting methods like traps or stationary fishing lines.
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Can Bait be reused?
Bait often decomposes and generally needs to be replaced.
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Is Lure more expensive than Bait?
Lures may cost more upfront but are usually reusable.
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When is Lure used?
Lure is commonly used in active fishing techniques like casting or trolling.
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Is Bait always food?
Bait is usually food, but it can also include other organic materials like pheromones.
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Does Lure mimic food?
Lures mimic the appearance or movement of prey but are not usually consumable.
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Is Lure species-specific?
Lures are often designed to target specific species.
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Is Bait cheaper than Lure?
Bait is often cheaper initially but may require frequent replacement.
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Can Bait and Lure be used together?
Yes, bait and lure can be combined for more effective results.
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Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
