charm

charm¹ [tʃa:m US tʃa:rm] n

[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: charme, from Latin carmen 'song', from canere 'to sing']

1.) [U and C]

a special quality someone or something has that makes people like them, feel attracted to them, or be easily influenced by them - used to show approval

→↑charming

▪ Robert's boyish charm

charm of

▪ the charm of this small Southern city

▪ She turned on the charm (=used her charm) to everyone she met.

▪ The room had no windows and all the charm of a prison cell (=used to say that something has no charm) .

2.)

a very small object worn on a chain or ↑bracelet

▪ a charm bracelet

▪ a small gold horseshoe worn as a lucky charm

3.)

a phrase or action believed to have special magic powers

= ↑spell

4.) work like a charm

to work exactly as you had hoped

▪ The new sales program has worked like a charm.

charm ²

charm² v [T]

1.) to attract someone and make them like you, sometimes in order to make them do something for you

→↑charming

▪ We were charmed by the friendliness of the local people.

2.) to please and interest someone

▪ a story that has charmed generations of children

3.) to gain power over someone or something by using magic