charm

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

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charm1 /tʃɑːm $ tʃɑːrm/ ●●○ noun  1  [countable, uncountable]ATTRACT 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 魅力，魔力，吸引力；可爱之处〔含褒义〕 → charming Joe’s boyish charm 乔身上的稚趣charm of the charm of this small Southern city 这座南方小城的魅力 She turned on the charm (=used her charm) to all the men. 她对所有那些男人都施展魅力。 The room had no windows and all the charm of a prison cell (=used to say that something has no charm). 这房间没有窗，简直就是牢房。2  DCJ[countable] a very small object worn on a chain or bracelet 〔链子或手镯上的〕小装饰品 a charm bracelet 有吊件的手镯 a small gold horseshoe worn as a lucky charm 作为吉祥物的马蹄形金挂坠3. MAGIC[countable] a phrase or action believed to have special magic powers 魔法；咒语 SYN spell4  work like a charm to work exactly as you had hoped 完全奏效 The new sales program has worked like a charm. 新的销售计划如愿奏效了。n COLLOCATIONSverbshave charmRichard was clever and he had a lot of charm.use your charmShe knew when to use her charm in order to get what she wanted.turn on the charm (=use your charm to get something)If you turn on the charm, I’m sure you’ll get the job.ooze charm (=have or show a lot of charm)Every time she saw him, he oozed charm.lack charm/be lacking in charmA lot of new buildings lack charm.something loses its charmHe was getting older, and travel was losing its charm.succumb to somebody’s/something’s charms (=allow yourself to be influenced by their charms)Thomas seemed to be succumbing to Sylvie's charms.resist somebody’s charm (=not allow yourself to be influenced by someone’s charm)People say that it was impossible to resist Burton’s charm.be part of somebody's/something's charmThe house is a long way from anywhere and that is part of its charm.adjectivesboyish charmWomen seem to love his boyish charm.great charmHe was a man of great charm.easy charm (=relaxed charm)Hudson was full of easy charm and smiles.rustic charm (=charm that is simple, old-fashioned and typical of the countryside)The cottage had a certain rustic charm.natural charmShe had a quiet natural charm that everyone liked.personal charmHe was a man of great personal charm.considerable charmTheir music has considerable charm.immense charm (=very great)No one could resist his immense charm.

Examples from the Corpus

charm• This time, the setup worked like a charm.• a necklace with an angel charm• Vanessa has both charm and talent.• These buildings were comfortable and spacious, and had great charm.• Gould discovered in this hardy, middle-aged explorer, a man of great charm and great ornithological ability.• With her charm and good looks, she's sure to be a success.• The players were an ideal fit for 8,500-seat Golden Park, which has been renovated to maximum charm.• She was a leader of great character and tremendous personal charm.• The book captures Savannah's old Southern charm and its eccentric citizens perfectly.• Beaufort has all the charm of the old South.• The fortieth floor had low ceilings, no windows, and the charm of an engine room.• He had the charm of all people who believe implicitly in themselves, that of integration.• To McDonough, a stubby 280-pounder, the charm of elective office was not mucking about with papers and figures.• They even succumb, in the end, to the charms of a girl, which Grahame would have winced at.turned on the charm• He still turned on the charm, however.lucky charm• That diamond horseshoe is her lucky charm.• But, as Daouda Api explains, the lucky charm of literacy often fails to work its magic.charm2 ●○○ verb [transitive]  1  ATTRACTto attract someone and make them like you, sometimes in order to make them do something for you 迷住，吸引 → charming We were charmed by the friendliness of the local people. 我们被当地人的友好吸引住了。2  to please and interest someone 吸引…的兴趣，迷住 a story that has charmed generations of children 一个吸引了一代又一代儿童的故事3. MAGICto gain power over someone or something by using magic 向…施魔法，用魔法控制→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

charm• As we walked around this pretty little island we were charmed by the friendliness of the local people.• Goldie Hawn's high-pitched laugh has charmed fans for years.• Marcovicci charmed her listeners, all of them old friends, it seemed.• He could even charm himself, I reckoned.• She charmed, then married Baron Phillipe de Rothschild in 1954 and her style became the toast of two continents.• It's a story that has charmed youngsters for generations.Origin charm1 (1200-1300) Old French charme, from Latin carmen “song”, from canere “to sing”

charm1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1charm2 verbLDOCE OnlineChinese  

or someone that a quality has something Corpus special

charm

I

charm¹ /tʃɑːm $ tʃɑːrm/ noun1. [uncountable and countable] 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:
    Joe’s boyish charm
    charm of
    the charm of this small Southern city
    She turned on the charm (=used her charm) to all the men.
    The room had no windows and all the charm of a prison cell (=used to say that something has no charm).
2. [countable] a very small object worn on a chain or bracelet:
    a charm bracelet
    a small gold horseshoe worn as a lucky charm
3. [countable] a phrase or action believed to have special magic powers
   SYN  spell
4. work like a charm to work exactly as you had hoped:
    The new sales program has worked like a charm.
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ have charm Richard was clever and he had a lot of charm.
   ▪ use your charm She knew when to use her charm in order to get what she wanted.
   ▪ turn on the charm (=use your charm to get something) If you turn on the charm, I’m sure you’ll get the job.
   ▪ ooze charm (=have or show a lot of charm) Every time she saw him, he oozed charm.
   ▪ lack charm/be lacking in charm A lot of new buildings lack charm.
   ▪ something loses its charm He was getting older, and travel was losing its charm.
   ▪ succumb to sb’s/sth’s charms (=allow yourself to be influenced by their charms) Thomas seemed to be succumbing to Sylvie's charms.
   ▪ resist sb’s charm (=not allow yourself to be influenced by someone’s charm) People say that it was impossible to resist Burton’s charm.
   ▪ be part of somebody's/something's charm The house is a long way from anywhere and that is part of its charm.
■ adjectives
   ▪ boyish charm Women seem to love his boyish charm.
   ▪ great charm He was a man of great charm.
   ▪ easy charm (=relaxed charm) Hudson was full of easy charm and smiles.
   ▪ rustic charm (=charm that is simple, old-fashioned and typical of the countryside) The cottage had a certain rustic charm.
   ▪ natural charm She had a quiet natural charm that everyone liked.
   ▪ personal charm He was a man of great personal charm.
   ▪ considerable charm Their music has considerable charm.
   ▪ immense charm (=very great) No one could resist his immense charm.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ attraction noun [uncountable and countable] a feature or quality that makes people like, want, or feel interested in something: The excitement is part of the attraction of the job. | For many mothers, the attraction of childcare in the workplace is the chance to be near their children. | The idea of living in another country does have a certain attraction.
   ▪ appeal noun [uncountable and countable] a quality that makes people like something or someone: Much of Corfu’s appeal lies in its lively night life. | I don’t understand the appeal of this kind of music.
   ▪ the lure of something noun [singular] a very attractive quality that makes you want something very much – often used about something that has a bad effect or influence: It’s hard to resist the lure of credit cards and easy money. | The lure of urban life is especially powerful for the young.
   ▪ charm noun [uncountable and countable] a pleasant quality that someone or something has that makes people like them, feel attracted to them, or be influenced by them: He was physically attractive and possessed considerable personal charm. | The book captures Savannah’s old Southern charm perfectly.
   ▪ glamour noun [uncountable] the attractive and exciting quality that is connected with wealth and success: the glamour of Monte Carlo | Hollywood glamour | The world of modelling is famous for its glitz and glamour.
   ▪ draw noun [singular] something that makes people want to do something or go somewhere: The money is a big draw for many players. | The island’s main draw is its wonderful beaches.

II

charm² verb [transitive]
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