charm

noun

\ ˈchärm

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 plural her 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

verb

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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Other Words from charm

Noun

charmless \ ˈchärm-ləs

\ adjective

Verb

charmer \ ˈchär-mər

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for charm

Synonyms: Noun

amulet, fetish (also fetich), mascot, mojo, periapt, phylactery, talisman

Synonyms: Verb

allure, beguile, bewitch, captivate, enchant, fascinate, kill, magnetize, wile, witch [archaic]

Antonyms: Noun

hoodoo, jinx

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

Now, decades later, the charm of kale is back in season. — Alyssa Haak, Marie Claire, "The Item I Wear to Death: My Vintage Kale Necklace," 17 Apr. 2019 Grant's unmistakable charm was evident from the outset. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Richard E. Grant's Oscar Nomination Is Long Overdue," 24 Feb. 2019 Nevertheless, Ffrench’s singular ability to capture a modern mix of 70s charm and undergound cool is sure to be reimagined by her loyal following of tapped-in cosmetics buffs. — Vogue, "Isamaya Ffrench’s Gold Foil Lids at Halpern Are a Disco-Party Look Worthy of a Saturday Night In London," 16 Feb. 2019 With natural charm and rock star swagger, Styles continues to channel Jagger while establishing a style that's all his own. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Harry Styles Puts His Own Twist on a Gothic Manicure at the Met Gala," 6 May 2019 Perhaps because of Michael's charm—and certainly not his swing—the Chicago players are fully cooperating in this charade. — Si.com Staff, SI.com, "Nine Innings: Solving the Yankees' Sonny Gray Problem, AL East Deciding Factors and Our Favorite Statcast Quirks," 2 July 2018 Pinot Noir is lightly tannined, transparent, casually profound in the right hands — but Passetoutgrain’s charm and immediacy come from the Gamay, which is itself a lens for terroir but which is that much more accessible in its youth. — Patrick Comiskey, latimes.com, "Alternatives to Burgundy, from Burgundy," 29 June 2018 But through charm and magic and, crucially, an extraordinarily naturalistic performance from Stanfield, Riley makes the case that labor conditions and race determine the experience of workers coextensively, one perfectly overlapping the other. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Sorry to Bother You Is a Brilliant Black Comedy About Race, Labor, and Magic," 29 June 2018 This party includes games, crafts, activities and a test of skill about the history of magic, charms and potions. — Sonja Haller, azcentral, "Best kids things to do in Phoenix in July: Splash pad parties, shark feeds and free fun," 28 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The energetic 4-year-old charmed the royal family on Sunday during a playful outing at the Gatcombe Horse Trials in Gloucestershire. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, "Queen's Great-Granddaughter Had the Best Weekend Ever with Pregnant Mom Zara: See the Photos!," 26 Mar. 2018 As a big fan of Scythe, everything about this game charmed me. — Aaron Zimmerman, Ars Technica, "The hottest new board games from Gen Con 2018," 11 Aug. 2018 Connor became his best self again, charming his family with his pure joy over the sweets. — BostonGlobe.com, "Raising Connor," 4 May 2018 Agnes Varda, the French New Wave pioneer who for decades beguiled, challenged and charmed moviegoers in films that inspired generations of filmmakers, has died. — Samuel Petrequin, The Seattle Times, "Agnes Varda, French New Wave pioneer, dies at 90," 29 Mar. 2019 In 1929 the Murphys’ charmed life in France ended when their younger son became ill and their finances crumbled in the stock-market crash. — Helen A. Cooper, WSJ, "A Severe Take on Timeless Pleasures," 27 July 2018 Evans, now in 60s but still built like a brick house, was positively charming with Smith, who couldn't stop smiling or talking. — Ron Higgins, NOLA.com, "The strangest-ever LSU basketball reunion heals an old man's heart," 21 Feb. 2018 Today, Kate Middleton was doing her Kate Middleton thing in a community garden, wearing a country-chic outfit, flipping her shiny hair, and charming some kids. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Does the Queen Eat Pizza?," 15 Jan. 2019 Where to Eat Wild Beets In Santa Gertrudis, Wild Beets draws inspiration from Ibiza’s hippie history with a contemporary vegan menu that could charm even a carnivore. — Elizabeth Wellington, Vogue, "For Authentic Ibiza, Visit in the Winter," 15 Feb. 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

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Last Updated

24 May 2019

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Time Traveler for charm

The first known use of charm was in the 14th century

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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

noun

\ 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

verb

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.