charm Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
    appeal; appealingness.
    • his smile was part of his appeal to her
  2. noun a verbal formula believed to have magical force
    magical spell; magic spell; spell.
    • he whispered a spell as he moved his hands
    • inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese
  3. noun something believed to bring good luck
    good luck charm.
  4. noun (physics) one of the six flavors of quark
  5. verb attract; cause to be enamored
    capture; entrance; bewitch; fascinate; enamour; trance; captivate; beguile; catch; becharm; enchant; enamor.
    • She captured all the men's hearts
  6. verb control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft
    becharm.
  7. verb protect through supernatural powers or charms
  8. verb induce into action by using one's charm
    influence; tempt.
    • She charmed him into giving her all his money

WordNet

Charm noun
Etymology
F. charme, fr. L. carmen song, verse, incantation, for casmen, akin to Skr. çasman, çasa, a laudatory song, from a root signifying to praise, to sing.
Definitions
  1. A melody; a song. Obs.
    With charm of earliest birds. Milton.
    Free liberty to chant our charms at will. Spenser.
  2. A word or combination of words sung or spoken in the practice of magic; a magical combination of words, characters, etc.; an incantation.
    My high charms work. Shak.
  3. That which exerts an irresistible power to please and attract; that which fascinates; any alluring quality.
    Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul. Pope.
    The charm of beauty's powerful glance. Milton.
  4. Anything worn for its supposed efficacy to the wearer in averting ill or securing good fortune.
  5. Any small decorative object worn on the person, as a seal, a key, a silver whistle, or the like. Bunches of charms are often worn at the watch chain. Syn. - Spell; incantation; conjuration; enchantment; fascination; attraction.
Charm transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. charmer. See Charm, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Charmed ; present participle & verbal noun Charming
Definitions
  1. To make music upon; to tune. Obs. & R.
    Here we our slender pipes may safely charm. Spenser.
  2. To subdue, control, or summon by incantation or supernatural influence; to affect by magic.
    No witchcraft charm thee! Shak.
  3. To subdue or overcome by some secret power, or by that which gives pleasure; to allay; to soothe.
    Music the fiercest grief can charm. Pope.
  4. To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to enchant; to fascinate.
    They, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm his ear. Milton.
  5. To protect with, or make invulnerable by, spells, charms, or supernatural influences; as, a charmed life.
    I, in my own woe charmed, Could not find death. Shak.
    Syn. - To fascinate; enchant; enrapture; captivate; bewitch; allure; subdue; delight; entice; transport.
Charm intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To use magic arts or occult power; to make use of charms.
    The voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. Ps. lviii. 5.
  2. To act as, or produce the effect of, a charm; to please greatly; to be fascinating.
  3. To make a musical sound. Obs. Milton.

Webster 1913