charm

charm · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration.

  2. 2.

    To delight or attract someone greatly.

  3. 3.

    A small ornament worn on a bracelet or necklace.

  4. 4.

    To use magic or supernatural powers on something.

  5. 5.

    An object, act, or saying believed to have magic power.

Forms

plural: charms

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    charm offensive — a campaign to win favor through personal appeal
  • •
    work like a charm — to work perfectly
  • •
    third time's a charm — third attempt will succeed
  • •
    lucky charm — an object believed to bring good fortune

Related words

Antonyms: repulsion, unpleasantness
See also: allure, charming, enchant, talisman
Synonyms: allure, appeal, enchantment, talisman

Etymology

From Old French charme ("magic spell, incantation"), from Latin carmen ("song, verse, enchantment"). The sense of "pleasing quality" developed from the magical sense of casting a spell over someone.