Library / English Dictionary

CHARM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Something believed to bring good luck

Synonyms:

charm; good luck charm

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("charm" is a kind of...):

object; physical object (a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charm"):

amulet; talisman (a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease)

fetich; fetish; hoodoo; juju; voodoo (a charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers)

Derivation:

charm (protect through supernatural powers or charms)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

Example:

his smile was part of his appeal to her

Synonyms:

appeal; appealingness; charm

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("charm" is a kind of...):

attractiveness (sexual allure)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charm"):

siren call; siren song (the enticing appeal of something alluring but potentially dangerous)

winsomeness (childlike charm or appeal)

Derivation:

charm (induce into action by using one's charm)

charm (attract; cause to be enamored)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(physics) one of the six flavors of quark

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("charm" is a kind of...):

flavor; flavour ((physics) the six kinds of quarks)

Domain category:

high-energy physics; high energy physics; particle physics (the branch of physics that studies subatomic particles and their interactions)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A verbal formula believed to have magical force

Example:

inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese

Synonyms:

charm; magic spell; magical spell; spell

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("charm" is a kind of...):

language; oral communication; speech; speech communication; spoken communication; spoken language; voice communication ((language) communication by word of mouth)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charm"):

conjuration; incantation (a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect)

curse; hex; jinx; whammy (an evil spell)

Derivation:

charm (protect through supernatural powers or charms)

charm (control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Induce into action by using one's charm

Example:

She charmed him into giving her all his money

Synonyms:

charm; influence; tempt

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "charm" is one way to...):

persuade (cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charm"):

bewitch; magnetise; magnetize; mesmerise; mesmerize; spellbind (attract strongly, as if with a magnet)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody into V-ing something

Sentence example:

They charm him into writing the letter

Derivation:

charm (attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Protect through supernatural powers or charms

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "charm" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

charm (something believed to bring good luck)

charm (a verbal formula believed to have magical force)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Attract; cause to be enamored

Example:

She captured all the men's hearts

Synonyms:

becharm; beguile; bewitch; captivate; capture; catch; charm; enamor; enamour; enchant; entrance; fascinate; trance

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "charm" is one way to...):

appeal; attract (be attractive to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charm"):

hold (hold the attention of)

work (gratify and charm, usually in order to influence)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

Sam cannot charm Sue

The performance is likely to charm Sue

Derivation:

charm (attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates)

charmer (a person who charms others (usually by personal attractiveness))

charmer (someone with an assured and ingratiating manner)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft

Synonyms:

becharm; charm

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "charm" is one way to...):

command; control (exercise authoritative control or power over)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charm"):

bewitch; enchant; glamour; hex; jinx; witch (cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

charm (a verbal formula believed to have magical force)

Credits

 Context examples: 

In matters of love and romance, Mars in Scorpio will see to it that you will be your charming best, and your good energy will draw others to you.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

And his sisters are charming women.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“Watson, your country-trip has been a distinct success. I have had a charming morning.”

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

So he sat at table, perturbed by his own unfitness and at the same time charmed by all that went on about him.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

She had been at Bath the year before, and Lady Russell had heard her spoken of as a charming woman.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

So did I. Traddles thanked us both, by saying, with a simplicity and honesty I had sense enough to be quite charmed with, I am very much obliged to you indeed.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I didn't know there was a charm," answered Dorothy, in surprise. "What is it?"

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Of their personal charms he had not required a second interview to be convinced.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I see no charm in the man.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The mountains of Switzerland are more majestic and strange, but there is a charm in the banks of this divine river that I never before saw equalled.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)