/ tʃɑːm; NAmE tʃɑːrm/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U ] the power of pleasing or attracting people :
a man of great charm
The hotel is full of charm and character.
2.
[ C ] a feature or quality that is pleasing or attractive :
her physical charms (= her beauty)
3.
[ C ] a small object worn on a chain or bracelet , that is believed to bring good luck :
a lucky charm
a charm bracelet
4.
[ C ] an act or words believed to have magic power
SYN spell
•
IDIOMS
- work like a charm
—more at third
■ verb
1.
to please or attract sb in order to make them like you or do what you want :
[ vn ]
He was charmed by her beauty and wit.
[ v ]
Her words had lost their power to charm.
2.
[ vn ] to control or protect sb/sth using magic, or as if using magic :
He has led a charmed life (= he has been lucky even in dangerous or difficult situations) .
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- charm sth out of sb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the senses incantation or magic spell and to use spells ): from Old French charme (noun), charmer (verb), from Latin carmen song, verse, incantation.