attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.
students attracted by the school's locale
allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.
an alluring smile
charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response
charmed by their hospitality
, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.
her performances captivated audiences
fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.
a story that continues to fascinate children
enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.
hopelessly enchanted by her beauty
Example Sentences
Noun He keeps a horseshoe as a good luck charm. He fell under the spell of her charms. The resort has many charms. The inn has a quaint charm. The island possesses great charm. The new curtains add charm to the room. The seaside location is a big part of the house's charm. He won her over with his charm. Verb The snake was charmed by the music. He was known for his ability to charm voters. He charmed the committee into approving his proposal. I was charmed by the cozy country inn. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Third time's a charm for Guy, who — as promised — was back with Rage Against the Machine in Raleigh, North Carolina on July 31. Emma Becker, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2022 Then Trump named Wolf as his acting secretary, and found the fourth time was a charm. Carol D. Leonnig And Maria Sacchetti, Anchorage Daily News, 29 July 2022 Then Trump named Wolf as his acting secretary, and found the fourth time was a charm. Maria Sacchetti, Washington Post, 29 July 2022 Then Trump named Wolf as his acting secretary, and found the fourth time was a charm. Carol D. Leonnig, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 Speculation over whether Krasinksi will revisit his brief stint as Mr. Fantastic has grown since it was announced during San Diego Comic-Con that a new Fantastic Four film is in the works (third time's a charm?), slated for release on Nov. 8, 2024. Justine Browning, EW.com, 27 July 2022 There is a real charm in how this family interacts with the VIP guests and influencers who attend the Grupo Firme shows. Eric Fuller, Forbes, 6 June 2022 And senior pitcher Isabela Valdez proved to be a lucky charm for the Crusaders. Terry Monahan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2022 Throughout an afternoon hour at a Midtown hotel, Jackman came across as a curious performer who leads with the affirmative; his is a disarming charm sculpted out of consideration and confidence.New York Times, 24 May 2022
Verb
As a result, the game constantly slams its foot on the brakes every time its graphics begin to charm with upgraded environs and incredibly realistic lighting effects. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 31 Aug. 2022 The premise may sound corny, but there’s an atmosphere of genuine enthusiasm and kindness that will charm even the most cynical of listeners. Emma Dibdin, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2022 The premise may sound corny, but there’s an atmosphere of genuine enthusiasm and kindness here that will charm even the most cynical of listeners.New York Times, 28 June 2022 Mark Tritton was supposed to be the savior for Bed Bath & Beyond — a hotshot executive from Target who knew how to charm customers with in-house brands and train stores on handling online and in-person orders.BostonGlobe.com, 30 June 2022 Outlander star Sam Heughan just seems to charm all the celebrity ladies as of late. Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 5 Aug. 2022 For example, there are Larry Rivers’s fond memories of seducing a friend’s teenage daughter—which do not charm Ada, who grew up with creepy men following her home in Manhattan. Scott Bradfield, The New Republic, 21 July 2022 Indie pop bands typically approach festival sets as a way to charm new listeners. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2022 It’s where stars charm the crowd of about 6,500 lucky people. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English charme "verse used in incantation, magic spell, the power of such a spell, magic," borrowed from Anglo-French, "magic spell" (also continental Old French), going back to Latin carmin-, carmen "ritual utterance, magical chant, spell, song, poem," dissimilated from *can-men-, from canere "to sing, chant" + -men, resultative noun suffix — more at chant entry 1
Note: P. Fouché regards charme as a learned word rather than a direct continuation of *carmine (Phonétique historique du français, vol. 3 [Paris, 1966], p. 828).
Verb
Middle English charmen "to recite or cast a magic spell, cast a spell on," borrowed from Anglo-French charmer, derivative of charme "magic spell, charm entry 1"