glamour

noun

glam·​our ˈgla-mər How to pronounce glamour (audio)
variants or less commonly glamor
1
: an exciting and often illusory and romantic attractiveness
the glamour of Hollywood
especially : alluring or fascinating attraction
often used attributively
glamour stock
glamour girls
whooping cranes and … other glamour birds R. T. Peterson
2
: a magic spell
the girls appeared to be under a glamourLlewelyn Powys
glamour transitive verb
glamourless adjective

Did you know?

In the Middle Ages the meaning of grammar was not restricted to the study of language, but included learning in general. Since almost all learning was couched in language not spoken or understood by the unschooled populace, it was commonly believed that such subjects as magic and astrology were included in this broad sense of grammar. Scholars were often viewed with awe and more than a little suspicion by ordinary people. This connection between grammar and magic was evident in a number of languages, and in Scotland by the 18th century a form of grammar, altered to glamer or glamour, meant “a magic spell or enchantment.” As glamour passed into more extended English usage, it came to mean “an elusive, mysteriously exciting attractiveness.”

Examples of glamour in a Sentence

She left her hometown, attracted to the glamour of the big city. an acting career filled with glitz and glamour the glamour of the movie business
Recent Examples on the Web Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos's journey will continue with 14 contestants after four men were sent home during Week 2. Week 3 will start with Joan and a man of her choice heading out for a night of luxury and glamour in Las Vegas where there will be a surprise performance from Wayne Newton. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024 Statement-making and bold jewelry pieces made an impact, the perfect trend to allow individuals to express their uniqueness and infuse glamour into their attire. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 2 Oct. 2024 Angelina Jolie brought glamour — and three of her six kids — to the New York Film Festival. Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 29 Sep. 2024 In New York, Amal Clooney delivered classic glamour in a black column gown by Versace. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glamour 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glamour.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from Scots glamer, glamour, by dissimilation from grammar grammar in sense "learning, erudition," popularly associated with occult practices

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of glamour was in 1715

Dictionary Entries Near glamour

Cite this Entry

“Glamour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glamour. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

glamour

noun
glam·​our
variants also glamor
: romantic, exciting, and often misleading attractiveness

More from Merriam-Webster on glamour

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!