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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 In the film, Andra Day shines in her portrayal of both the glamour of Holiday’s public persona and the depths of her drug dependency and legal troubles. — Emma Specter, Vogue, "The United States vs. Billie Holiday," 24 Feb. 2021 One of the legendary slices of road in Southern California is a chunk of Sunset Boulevard that runs from the 405 freeway east through Beverly Hills, alongside Bel Air, and down to the pink glamour of the Beverly Hills Hotel. — John Pearley Huffman, Car and Driver, "2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo: A More Versatile Rocket," 24 Feb. 2021 Until recently, Doyle dutifully dyed and straightened her long, blond hair and cultivated the plastic glamour of a Disney princess. — Ariel Levy, The New Yorker, "Glennon Doyle’s Honesty Gospel," 8 Feb. 2021 Escola also gravitated to the glamour and poetry of old movies. — Meredith Blake Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "New York had Cole Escola down and out. Now they’re part of comedy’s queer new wave," 21 Jan. 2021 And despite the glamour of playing for millions of dollars on national television, this all seems like a recipe for stunted morale, especially with so much of the season still remaining. — Scott Kushner, NOLA.com, "Kushner: Pelicans, Zion Williamson not immune to pitfalls of season during pandemic," 13 Jan. 2021 The Fancy Schmancy Party Swap your joggers for a cocktail dress, get dolled up, and have a mini bash with all the glamour of the fanciest New Year’s Eve soirees. — Michelle Stansbury, Marie Claire, "At-Home New Year's Eve Party Ideas That Are Still Fabulous," 16 Dec. 2020 Hollywood's strange and largely virtual awards season lacks the usual kind of buzz and red-carpet glamour that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association annually feasts on. — Jake Coyle, Star Tribune, "'Mank' leads Golden Globe nominees with 6; Netflix dominates," 3 Feb. 2021 Kim Kardashian-West went for glamour in an iridescent teal overcoat from Mowalola paired with a python top and skintight leather pencil skirt. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "This Week, Stars Found New Ways to Shine," 28 Sep. 2020

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