charm

/tʃɑrm/

/tʃɑm/

Other forms: charming; charms; charmed

A charm is a magical spell or an object that brings luck: it's also a quality of being attractive and pleasing. To charm someone is to attract them.

There are several types of charms, but they mostly relate to attraction and good luck. A lucky coin is a charm. The spell of a witch that entrances you is a charm. People with magnetic personalities, who make you want to hang out with them, have charm and are therefore considered charming. Also, to charm someone is to attract them and win them over. Popular politicians charm the masses, and teachers' pets charm their teachers.

Definitions of charm
  1. noun
    attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
    synonyms: appeal, appealingness
    see moresee less
    types:
    siren call, siren song
    the enticing appeal of something alluring but potentially dangerous
    winsomeness
    childlike charm or appeal
    type of:
    attractiveness
    sexual allure
  2. verb
    attract; cause to be enamored
    synonyms: becharm, beguile, bewitch, captivate, capture, catch, enamor, enamour, enchant, entrance, fascinate, trance
    see moresee less
    types:
    hold
    hold the attention of
    work
    gratify and charm, usually in order to influence
    type of:
    appeal, attract
    be attractive to
  3. verb
    induce into action by using one's charm
    “She charmed him into giving her all his money”
    synonyms: influence, tempt
    see moresee less
    types:
    bewitch, magnetise, magnetize, mesmerise, mesmerize, spellbind
    attract strongly, as if with a magnet
    type of:
    persuade
    cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm
  4. noun
    a verbal formula believed to have magical force
    “inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese”
    synonyms: magic spell, magical spell, spell
    see moresee less
    types:
    conjuration, incantation
    a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect
    curse, hex, jinx, whammy
    an evil spell
    invocation
    an incantation used in conjuring or summoning a devil
    type of:
    language, oral communication, speech, speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication
    (language) communication by word of mouth
  5. noun
    something believed to bring good luck
    synonyms: good luck charm
    see moresee less
    types:
    amulet, talisman
    a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
    fetich, fetish, hoodoo, juju, voodoo
    a charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers
    greegree, gres-gris, grigri
    an African amulet
    type of:
    object, physical object
    a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
  6. verb
    control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft
    synonyms: becharm
    see moresee less
    types:
    bewitch, enchant, ensorcel, ensorcell, glamour, hex, jinx, witch
    cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
    voodoo
    bewitch by or as if by a voodoo
    spell
    place under a spell
    type of:
    command, control
    exercise authoritative control or power over
  7. verb
    protect through supernatural powers or charms
    see moresee less
    type of:
    protect, secure
    shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
  8. noun
    (physics) one of the six flavors of quark
    see moresee less
    type of:
    flavor, flavour
    (physics) the six kinds of quarks
Pronunciation
US

/tʃɑrm/
UK

/tʃɑm/
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘charm'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing charm

Multiple-Meaning Words, List 7

On the ACT Reading Test, you'll encounter questions that ask you to determine the meanings of common words in context. We've identified 170 high-frequency, multiple-meaning words of the sort that you'll see on the exam. As you practice this list, you'll have to rely on context clues in order to determine each word’s meaning in a particular sentence. Be careful! Several of a word's meanings might show up as answer choices — but only one answer will capture the meaning of the word in the context of the sentence.

Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 5

This list covers "Araby," "Little Brown Girl," and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."

The ACT Reading Test: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 8

On the ACT Reading Test, you'll encounter questions that ask you to determine the meanings of common words in context. We've identified 200 high-frequency, multiple-meaning words of the sort that you'll see on the exam. As you practice this list, you'll have to rely on context clues in order to determine each word’s meaning in a particular sentence. Be careful! Several of a word's meanings might show up as answer choices — but only one answer will capture the meaning of the word in the context of the sentence.

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