'attractability' originates from English, formed by combining the verb 'attract' with the noun-forming suffix '-ability' (from Old French/Latin origins).

'attract' derives from Latin 'attrahere' (from ad- 'toward' + trahere 'to draw'), passed into Old French (e.g. 'atraire'/'attraire') and Middle English as 'attracten' before becoming modern English 'attract'; the suffix '-ability' comes via Old French/Anglo-Norman from Latin '-abilitas'.

Initially related to the literal sense 'to draw toward' (physical drawing), it broadened to include drawing attention or interest; 'attractability' originally would have meant 'capacity to be drawn' and now also covers 'degree of appeal' and susceptibility to influence.