talisman

noun

tal·​is·​man ˈta-ləs-mən 

-ləz-

plural talismans

1

: an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune

2

: something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects

talismanic

ˌta-ləs-ˈma-nik 

-ləz-

adjective

talismanically

ˌta-ləs-ˈma-ni-k(ə-)lē 

-ləz-

adverb

Did you know?

Whether your personal lucky charm takes the form of a pink heart, yellow moon, orange star, green clover, or something else, the English language has got you covered, offering a bowlful of synonyms for magical objects. There’s mojo and amulet, periapt and phylactery, to name just a few. Talisman is another, and the mystery of its origins reflects the ubiquity of magical charms across cultures, languages, and time. The English language may have borrowed talisman from French, Spanish, or Italian; all three include similar-looking words that in turn come from the Arabic word for a charm, ṭilsam. Ṭilsam traces back to the ancient Greek verb telein, which means “to initiate into the mysteries [secret religious rites].”

Synonyms

• amulet
• charm
• fetish
• fetich
• mascot
• mojo
• periapt
• phylactery

Examples of talisman in a Sentence

a pendant of white nephrite jade is often worn by Indians as a talisman to ward off heart disease

Recent Examples on the Web

Prima thought about the possibility that there was a person in the world—perhaps Ruth was this person or would someday be this person—for whom Prima’s name was this kind of talisman. —Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025

Mbeumo is Brentford’s talisman and is one of the few attackers in the league who will play 90 minutes almost every game. —Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 2 May 2025

His World Series magic couldn't get the Royals over the hump in October, but that was the clearest example yet of the type of roster talisman Smith has been. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Raphinha’s renaissance may have been stealing all the headlines, but Lewandowski is still Barcelona’s talisman. —Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French talisman or Spanish talismán or Italian talismano; all from Arabic ṭilsam, from Middle Greek telesma, from Greek, consecration, from telein to initiate into the mysteries, complete, from telos end — more at telos

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

talisman

noun

tal·​is·​man ˈtal-ə-smən 

-əz-mən

plural talismans

: a ring or stone carved with symbols and believed to have magical powers : charm