charisma

[ kuh-riz-muh ]

noun

, plural cha·ris·ma·ta [k, uh, -, riz, -m, uh, -t, uh].

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.

charisma

/ 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

charisma

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

Notes

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.

Derived Forms

• charismatic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of charisma¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of charisma¹

C17: from Church Latin, from Greek kharisma, from kharis grace, favour

Example Sentences

John Paul was youthful in his sixties with a radiant charisma.

From The Daily Beast

The charisma and brand of the artist itself becomes a kind of furniture.

From The Daily Beast

Dostum was a natural soldier and a good leader whose troops admired his charisma and tough military approach.

From The Daily Beast

Successful politicians seek to marry a triumvirate of charisma, certitude, and leadership.

From The Daily Beast

Her charisma was too much, too overshadowing for the Royal model as it exists even now.

From The Daily Beast

She really had a lot of charisma -- you didn't want to laugh at her, you just wanted to laugh with her.

From Project Gutenberg

Janov has been criticized for his apparent desire for public charisma and for capitalizing on advertising hype.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allure
• glamour
• magnetism