charm
chahm
Charm (noun) means a quality that makes someone likeable, attractive, or persuasive. Example: “The shop owner has so much charm that customers always leave smiling.”
noun
1
A quality that makes someone likeable, attractive, or persuasive.
"The shop owner has so much charm that customers always leave smiling."
"He talked his way out of trouble with sheer charm."
"The old cottage had a rustic charm that visitors loved."
2
An object or spoken words believed to bring good luck or magical protection.
"Grandma gave me a lucky charm to keep in my pocket during exams."
"The villagers hung a charm above the door to keep bad luck away."
"She wore a small silver charm around her neck for luck."
3
A small decorative trinket hung on a bracelet or necklace.
"For her birthday, I bought her a tiny silver heart charm for her bracelet."
"She added a new charm to the necklace every year."
"Each charm on her bracelet marked a different trip abroad."
verb
1
To attract, delight, or persuade someone through pleasing qualities.
"The young guide charmed every tourist with his stories and warm smile."
"Her singing charmed the audience into complete silence."
"She charmed the interview panel with her confidence and wit."
2
To influence or protect someone or something through magic.
"In the fairy tale, the old wizard charmed the cottage so thieves could never enter."
"The sorceress charmed the lantern so it would never go out."
"In the story, the witch charmed the sword so it could never break."
How to use charm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe pleasing quality of being attractive or persuasive, or a magic spell/lucky trinket.
Common pairings
natural charm
a lucky charm
charm bracelet
charm someone into doing something
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Word forms
- Plural
- charms
- Third person singular
- charms
- Past tense
- charmed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The shop owner has so much _____ that customers always leave smiling.
Etymology
From Old French charme, meaning a spell or chant, from Latin carmen, "song" or "incantation."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for charm
See all rhymes for charm →Frequently asked questions
What does “charm” mean?
The word “charm” means a quality that makes someone likeable, attractive, or persuasive. In plain terms, the pleasing quality of being attractive or persuasive, or a magic spell/lucky trinket.
How do you pronounce “charm”?
“Charm” is pronounced chahm (/t͡ʃɑɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “charm” in a sentence?
Here is “charm” used in a sentence: “He talked his way out of trouble with sheer charm.”
What part of speech is “charm”?
Depending on how it is used, “charm” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “charm” come from?
The word “charm” comes from Latin. From Old French charme, meaning a spell or chant, from Latin carmen, "song" or "incantation.".
Is “charm” a common word?
“Charm” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “charm” have?
“Charm” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a quality that makes someone likeable, attractive, or persuasive.
What is the difference between charm and charisma?
Charm is a quality that makes someone likeable, attractive, or persuasive, often in a warm, personal way. Charisma is a stronger, more magnetic presence that draws crowds and inspires them. Charm wins people over one to one; charisma commands a room.
What is the difference between "charm" and "a charm"?
Used uncountably, "charm" is an appealing quality that makes a person likeable or persuasive. Used with "a," a charm is a physical object or set of spoken words believed to bring good luck or magical protection, such as a lucky charm on a bracelet.
What is the difference between a charm and an amulet?
A charm is an object or spoken words thought to bring good luck or magical protection, and it can be worn simply for decoration or belief. An amulet is specifically an object worn to protect against harm or evil. All amulets are charms, but not every charm is meant for protection.
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