charm

\ ˈchärm

How to pronounce charm (audio)

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Definition of charm

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the chanting or reciting of a magic spell : incantation

b : a practice or expression believed to have magic power

2 : something worn about the person to ward off evil or ensure good fortune : amulet wore a rabbit's foot as a good-luck charm

3a : a trait that fascinates, allures, or delights the charm of this imaginative story

b : a physical grace (see grace entry 1 sense 3) or attraction —used in pluralher feminine charms

c : compelling attractiveness the island possessed great charm

4 : a small ornament worn on a bracelet or chain Her sister presented her with a sterling silver charm for her bracelet.

5 : a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of +²/₃ and a measured energy of approximately 1.5 GeV also : the flavor characterizing this particle

charm

charmed; charming; charms

Definition of charm (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to affect by or as if by magic : compel

b : to please, soothe, or delight by compelling attraction charms customers with his suave manner

2 : to endow with or as if with supernatural powers by means of charms also : to protect by or as if by spells, charms, or supernatural influences

3 : to control (an animal) typically by charms (such as the playing of music) charm a snake

intransitive verb

1 : to practice magic and enchantment witches having the power to charm

2 : to have the effect of a charm : fascinate The village charms by its quaintness.

Other Words from charm Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about charm

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Choose the Right Synonym for charm

Verb

attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence. attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another. students attracted by the school's locale allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive. an alluring smile charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response charmed by their hospitality , but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration. her performances captivated audiences fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist. a story that continues to fascinate children enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject. hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Examples of charm in a Sentence

Noun He keeps a horseshoe as a good luck charm. He fell under the spell of her charms. The resort has many charms. The inn has a quaint charm. The island possesses great charm. The new curtains add charm to the room. The seaside location is a big part of the house's charm. He won her over with his charm. Verb The snake was charmed by the music. He was known for his ability to charm voters. He charmed the committee into approving his proposal. I was charmed by the cozy country inn.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The multi-talented artist carried himself with confidence and engaged the audience throughout the concert with his usual charm. — Billboard Japan, Billboard, "J-Pop Singer Gen Hoshino Kicks Off 'Pop Virus World Tour' in Shanghai," 27 Nov. 2019 With its myriad charms, Slovenia could win over even the most demanding of travelers. — Washington Post, "Once war-torn, Slovenia has become a green retreat," 27 Nov. 2019 This picture-perfect holiday room owes much of its charm to an emerald green shade that envelopes the space. — Chelsea Evers, Country Living, "12 Best Green Paint Colors That'll Liven Up Any Room," 25 Nov. 2019 Its charms don’t depend on the quality of play or players. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc's Morning Line: Once the charm of minor league baseball is gone, it's not coming back.," 19 Nov. 2019 His good looks and his charm and his address and his friends with even better addresses made people give him the benefit of the doubt again and again and again. — Elizabeth Angell, Town & Country, "Looking Back at the Preppy Killer Case, More Than 30 Years Later," 12 Nov. 2019 Sweetheart Deals’ Biden applied his Amtrak charm to local players like Ukraine’s embattled president, Viktor Yanukovych, with limited effect. — BostonGlobe.com, "“You have to be whiter than snow, or the whole world will abandon you,” Biden told the country’s newly elected president, Petro Poroshenko, during an early 2014 phone call, according to former administration officials.," 11 Nov. 2019 Your charm can unlock doors previously closed to you. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Nov. 9, 2019: Taurus, champion a good cause; Cancer, bake a cake or grill a steak," 9 Nov. 2019 Hepburn, in fact, with her brash charm and unyielding determination, can be thought of as an Alice Adams who prevailed. — Robert Gottlieb, The New Yorker, "The Rise and Fall of Booth Tarkington," 4 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Onstage, Josh charms audiences using his good-natured storytelling and cracks them up with his sharp, pointy wit. — Holly Baumbach, chicagotribune.com, "Things to do in Chicago today | Dec. 3," 3 Dec. 2019 The Delta pilot charmed the pants off Bachelorette Hannah Brown (quite literally, thanks to an overnight that later came to be known simply as The Windmill). — Katherine J Igoe, Marie Claire, "When Will Peter Weber's 'The Bachelor' Season Air?," 11 Oct. 2019 And Maddon charmed the Chicago press with rambling stories and wit, reducing the media glare on his players. — David Baumgarten, The Atlantic, "So Long, Joe Maddon," 10 Oct. 2019 Brown, an Alabama native, charmed the studio audience -- and prompted lots of love on social media -- with her flirty, confident performance on the ABC reality series. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, "Hannah Brown makes sparkling debut on ‘Dancing with the Stars’," 17 Sep. 2019 American Football charmed its audience on the second, White, stage on Saturday, despite playing in a significant downpour. — Rob Schwartz, Billboard, "Fuji Rock Fest Turns 23 With Dream Pop, Punk Rock, Hip-Hop and The Cure," 29 July 2019 Over two years, prosecutors say, Chemirmir charmed his way into the homes of elderly North Texans before smothering them, stealing their jewelry and selling it online and in pawn shops. — Jennifer Emily, Dallas News, "Like with Dallas' serial murder suspect, DAs seek death penalty when crimes are 'heinous enough'," 26 July 2019 Hopefully, this reboot will charm audiences in the same way that the first radio serial did back in the 1970s. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Hulu is developing a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy TV series," 24 July 2019 Archana Garodia-Gupta, author Farzana charmed the Mughal rulers in their courts. — Priyanka Borpujari, National Geographic, "India’s forgotten power broker—what was her secret?," 5 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'charm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near charm

Charlottesville

Statistics for charm

Last Updated

6 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Charm.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charmer. Accessed 14 December 2019.

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More Definitions for charm

charm

noun

English Language Learners Definition of charm

(Entry 1 of 2)

: something that is believed to have magic powers and especially to prevent bad luck

: a small object that is worn on a chain or bracelet

: a quality that causes someone or something to be very likeable : an attractive quality

charm

verb

English Language Learners Definition of charm (Entry 2 of 2)

: to put a spell on (someone or something)

: to cause (someone) to like you or to do what you want by being nice, friendly, etc.

: to attract (someone) by being beautiful or welcoming

See the full definition for charm in the English Language Learners Dictionary

charm

\ ˈchärm

\

Kids Definition of charm

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an action, word, or phrase believed to have magic powers

2 : something believed to keep away evil and bring good luck

3 : a small decorative object worn on a chain or bracelet

4 : a quality that attracts and pleases

charm

charmed; charming

Kids Definition of charm (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to affect or influence by or as if by a magic spell He charmed the group into supporting him.

2 : fascinate sense 2, delight The penguins were all charmed by the sparkling lights and the confusion of the city below.— Richard and Florence Atwater, Mr. Popper's Penguins

3 : to attract by being graceful, beautiful, or welcoming I was charmed by the countryside.

4 : to protect by or as if by a charm She leads a charmed life.

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WORD OF THE DAY

impugn

to assail by words or arguments

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