Word

charm

noun C1

/tʃɑːm/

Meanings

noun

an attractive quality or behavior that makes someone likable

noun

a small decorative object worn on a bracelet or necklace, often meaningful to the owner

verb

to delight or attract someone by being pleasant and persuasive

Definition

A charm is a quality or act that pleasantly attracts and delights other people.

A charm can be an appealing quality in someone that makes them likable and engaging. It can also refer to something small, such as a decorative object worn on jewelry, often with personal meaning. In stories and traditional beliefs, a charm may be an object or set of words thought to bring good luck or protection.

Examples

Her quiet charm put even the most skeptical guests at ease within minutes.
I didn’t expect to be charmed by the lecture, but the speaker’s storytelling was compelling.
Their charm tends to fade when they start interrupting everyone at the table.
He kept a silver charm on his keychain as a reminder of his first trip abroad.
The guide managed to charm the frustrated travelers into laughing about the delay.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse charm (personal appeal) with sympathy (sharing someone’s feelings), but charm is about attracting others, not empathizing with them.