What does "charm" mean?
Charm: 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.
Additional senses
- 2.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.
- 3.Anything worn for its supposed efficacy to the wearer in averting ill or securing good fortune.
- 4.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.
- 5.To make music upon; to tune. [Obs. & R.] Here we our slender pipes may safely charm. Spenser.
- 6.To subdue, control, or summon by incantation or supernatural influence; to affect by magic. No witchcraft charm thee! Shak.
- 7.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.
- 8.To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to enchant; to fascinate. They, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm his ear. Milton.
- 9.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.
- 10.To use magic arts or occult power; to make use of charms. The voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. Ps. lviii.
- 11.2. To act as, or produce the effect of, a charm; to please greatly; to be fascinating.
- 12.To make a musical sound. [Obs.] Milton.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
- Canonical URL: https://worddirectanswers.com/answers/what-does-charm-mean
- Steward: Jason Burns
- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00