charms
charms — noun
1. the appealing qualities of a person — their warmth, looks, wit, or way of speaki
the appealing qualities of a person — their warmth, looks, wit, or way of speaking — that make others feel drawn to them.
Sivan used her charms on the gallery owner and walked out with a paid commission.
use + possessive + charms + on [target]
The new neighbour quickly won over the whole street with his easy charms.
win [people] over + with + charms
Wei relied on his charms in interviews and forgot to prepare proper answers.
Beneath all the polish, the actress's real charms were her humour and her honesty.
文法句型
use one's charms on someone
用法筆記
Almost always plural in this sense and almost always preceded by a possessive (her/his/their). Singular 'charm' meaning the same trait stays uncountable; the plural 'charms' bundles several attractive qualities together.
常見錯誤
2. small objects, or short phrases people repeat, said to draw fortune toward the o
small objects, or short phrases people repeat, said to draw fortune toward the owner or shield them from harm.
Dahlia kept a row of tiny charms on her dashboard for long drives.
concrete object scenario
Old sailors carried bone charms against storms whenever they set out from the harbour.
charms against + [misfortune]
The market stall sold lucky charms shaped like four-leaf clovers and tiny horseshoes.
Before the exam, Hassan whispered the same protective charms his grandmother had taught him.
文法句型
charms against [misfortune]
用法筆記
Covers both physical lucky tokens (sense focus in everyday English) and short magical sayings. Distinguish from sense 1 by the presence of a believed magical effect; possessive is optional here.
常見錯誤
3. tiny decorative ornaments, often in silver or gold, that hang from a chain brace
tiny decorative ornaments, often in silver or gold, that hang from a chain bracelet or necklace and that the wearer adds to over time.
Ramón gave his sister a silver bracelet with three tiny charms shaped like cats.
charms shaped like + [noun]
Imran's grandmother added new charms to the family bracelet on every birthday.
add + charms + to + [chain]
The little charms on her necklace tinkled softly whenever she turned her head.
Élise chose two gold charms from the jeweller's tray — a tiny key and a heart.
文法句型
charms on + [bracelet/necklace]
用法筆記
Refers to the ornaments themselves, not the chain. Distinguish from sense 2 by the focus on decoration rather than magical effect; many charm bracelets carry no luck meaning at all.
常見錯誤
charms — verb
1. (used of one person) wins another over, or talks them into doing something, by b
(used of one person) wins another over, or talks them into doing something, by being warm, funny, or pleasant.
Putri charms every customer who walks into the bakery, and most come back next week.
third-person singular present: charms + [object]
Defne charms the toughest editors into giving her work a second read.
charms + [person] + into + V-ing
The new puppy charms guests with one long look from those huge brown eyes.
Christopher charms the panel by remembering the small details from each interviewer's bio.
- wins over
phrasal; emphasises overcoming initial resistance
- delights
warmer and more general; focuses on the pleasure caused, not on persuasion
- captivates
stronger, more total — the person can't look away
- alienates
drives people away rather than drawing them in
文法句型
charms + [person]
charms + [person] + into + [doing something]
用法筆記
Almost always uses a human or animal subject and a human object. Frequently followed by 'into + V-ing' when the result is action, or 'with + [trait]' when the means is named. Distinguish from sense 2 by the absence of any magical or supernatural meaning.
常見錯誤
2. (used of someone with magical skill, or in playful exaggeration) controls or sha
(used of someone with magical skill, or in playful exaggeration) controls or shapes a person, animal, or object through a spell, song, or other supernatural means.
In the old story, the flute player charms the river snakes out of their stone caves.
charms + [animal] + out of + [place]
Some travellers say the old woman charms snakes with nothing but a low, steady song.
charms + [animal] + with + [means]
The witch in the picture book charms the iron gates open with a single word.
Noor's older brother joked that she charms the cat asleep every afternoon.
文法句型
charms + [animal/object]
用法筆記
This sense names a literally magical action and is most common in stories, myths, or playful exaggeration. Distinguish from sense 1 by the supernatural means; here the subject affects something through a spell, song, or magical skill rather than personal warmth.