charisma

American  

[kuh-riz-muh] / kəˈrɪz mə /

Also charism

noun

charismata plural

1. Theology. a divinely conferred gift or power.

2. a spiritual power or personal quality that gives an individual influence or authority over large numbers of people.

   Synonyms:

   presence, magnetism, charm

3. the special virtue of an office, function, position, etc., that confers or is thought to confer on the person holding it an unusual ability for leadership, worthiness of veneration, or the like.

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charisma British  

/ ˈkærɪzəm, kəˈrɪzmə, ˌkærɪzˈmætɪk /

noun

1. a special personal quality or power of an individual making him capable of influencing or inspiring large numbers of people

2. a quality inherent in a thing which inspires great enthusiasm and devotion

3. Christianity a divinely bestowed power or talent

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charisma Cultural  

1. Extraordinary power and appeal of personality; natural ability to inspire a large following.

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Usage

What does charisma mean? Charisma is the magnetic and charming personal quality that draws people to someone. People who have an outgoing, energetic, and likable personality that seems to naturally draw other people to them are said to have charisma. Such people are often described with the adjective form of the word, charismatic. A person with charisma is thought to be able to easily influence others. Charisma is most often used in a positive way as a compliment, but it is sometimes used to imply that someone’s appeal is based entirely on their outgoing personality, rather than the substance of their actions or their character. The word is also used in a religious context in a more specific way to refer to a spiritual gift or a special ability for leadership. This sense of the word is sometimes seen as charism, and can be pluralized as charismata. Example: People like a candidate who’s got charisma and can get them excited, not someone who just drones on about facts and figures.

Discover More

Political leaders such as John F. Kennedy, religious leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., and entertainment figures such as Greta Garbo have all been described as charismatic.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• charismatic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• charismata
  plural

Etymology

Origin of charisma

First recorded in 1635–45; from Late Latin, from Greek, equivalent to char- (base of cháris “favor,” charízesthai “to favor”) + -isma -ism

Explanation

Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley had great charisma, or a special personal charm or appeal that gave them influence or authority. Charisma is often a quality possessed by successful politicians or leaders, or by other public figures. The corresponding adjective is charismatic, and it applies more to personality than appearance: a handsome and charismatic actor. Charisma was borrowed from a Greek word meaning "favor, gift," from charizesthai, "to favor," from charis, "grace."

Example Sentences

So Cardinale felt that Ibrahimovic’s charisma didn’t require him to have a ball at his feet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

The legendary attacking midfielder was a wizard on the pitch and a charisma machine off it.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

There are sufficient numbers of otherwise normal people who are attracted to the pathocrats because of their charisma and strongman appeal — enough to lift them to power.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

"Over recent years, the LA Phil has developed something extraordinary that cannot be manufactured: a kind of institutional charisma."

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

After all, the tzaddikate was inherited, and the charisma went automatically from father to son—all sons.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

Related Words

• allure
• glamour
• magnetism