ENGLISH
REFERENCE

charm

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈtʃɑɹm// UK //tʃˈɑːm// charm Archaic

n. a quality that makes someone or something very attractive and pleasant. It can also refer to a small object worn on a bracelet for luck or decoration.

n. a power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration; also, a small ornament worn on a chain or bracelet. Often used to describe a person's charismatic influence or the aesthetic appeal of a location.


SIMPLE

The old cottage has a lot of charm.

CONTEXTUAL

She used her natural charm to win over the clients during the first meeting.

COMPLEX

While the city's modern architecture is impressive, the true charm of the district lies in its narrow cobblestone streets and hidden courtyards that date back to the medieval era.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English charme, from Old French charme (“chant, magic spell”), from Latin carmen (“song, incantation”).

Etymology 2

Synchronically a variant of chirm, but reflects Middle English charme (or unattested charm), from Old English ċearm (“cry, alarm”), from Proto-West Germanic karm, masculine variant of karmi f, from Proto-Germanic karmiz, *karm(j)az (“cry, lament, calling sound”). Near-doublet of chirm, which is from the feminine counterpart.

Usage

Both countable and uncountable; use as an uncountable noun when referring to the abstract quality of being attractive, and as a countable noun for specific objects or spells.

Idioms2 entries

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