charming
CHAH-mihng
Charming (adj) means Pleasant, attractive, and likeable. Example: “The village has a charming little bakery on the corner of the square.”
adj
1
Pleasant, attractive, and likeable.
"The village has a charming little bakery on the corner of the square."
"They stayed at a charming little inn in the countryside."
"He was charming at dinner but oddly distant afterward."
intj
1
(sarcastic) Used to express disapproval of rude or unpleasant behaviour.
"You forgot to tell me you'd eaten all the cake? Oh, charming!"
"He pushed past us without a word. Well, charming!"
""He just walked off without saying goodbye." "Charming.""
How to use charming
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPleasant and attractive — or, said sarcastically, the opposite.
Common mistake
Watch tone: said with a flat or sarcastic voice, "charming" can mean the exact opposite of its literal meaning.
Common pairings
Prince Charming
a charming smile
utterly charming
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Word forms
- Plural
- charmings
- Comparative
- more charming, charminger
- Superlative
- most charming, charmingest, charmest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The village has a _____ little bakery on the corner of the square.
Etymology
From Middle English charmynge, formed from charm plus the suffix -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for charming
See all rhymes for charming →Frequently asked questions
What does “charming” mean?
The word “charming” means pleasant, attractive, and likeable. In plain terms, pleasant and attractive — or, said sarcastically, the opposite.
How do you pronounce “charming”?
“Charming” is pronounced CHAH-mihng (/ˈtʃɑː(ɹ).mɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “charming” in a sentence?
Here is “charming” used in a sentence: “They stayed at a charming little inn in the countryside.”
What part of speech is “charming”?
Depending on how it is used, “charming” can be an adjective and an intj.
Where does the word “charming” come from?
The word “charming” comes from Middle English. From Middle English charmynge, formed from charm plus the suffix -ing.
Is “charming” a common word?
“Charming” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “charming” have?
“Charming” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: pleasant, attractive, and likeable.
What is the difference between charming and charismatic?
Charming means pleasant, attractive, and likeable, and it can describe people, places, and things alike. Charismatic describes a stronger magnetic quality that draws followers or devotion, and it is normally reserved for people, especially leaders and performers. A cottage can be charming, but not charismatic.
Is calling someone charming a compliment?
Usually yes — it means the person is pleasant, attractive, and likeable. Said with a flat or pointed tone, however, "Charming!" is a standard sarcastic interjection expressing disapproval of rude or unpleasant behaviour. Tone and context tell you which reading is intended.
Can charming describe places and things, or only people?
Charming applies just as naturally to places and things as to people: a charming village, a charming little café, a charming letter. Applied to things, it suggests an attractive, pleasing, often quaint appeal rather than personal manner.
