English Reference
adjective · noun

charming

adj. · n.
US /ˈtʃɑɹmɪŋ/ UK /tʃˈɑːmɪŋ/ charm·ing

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    adj.very pleasant or attractive in a way that makes people like you.

    adj.possessing a magnetic or pleasing personality; capable of inspiring delight or admiration through grace and charisma.

    Simple

    The hotel was located in a charming little village by the sea.

    In context

    The candidate was undeniably charming, though critics argued his polished exterior lacked the substance required for such a demanding role.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Literary Religion

    n.the act of using magic or casting a spell on someone.

    n.the action of using a magical incantation or spell to influence a person or object.

    Simple

    The old stories tell of a witch charming the prince into a deep sleep.

    In context

    The ritual involved the rhythmic charming of the elements, a practice the villagers believed would ensure a prosperous harvest.

    spellcastingbewitching

His book is in this respect much like its primary source: charming, clever, and difficult to pin down.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026

Dimyan is Grylls’ first guest – a wise choice as he is a completely charming, self-confessed nerd (“I worry a lot!

The Guardian· 9 Aug 2026

From Middle English charmynge; equivalent to charm + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English charmynge
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated