Dictionary.com

charisma

[ kuh-riz-muh ]
/ kəˈrɪz mə /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for charisma on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural cha·ris·ma·ta [kuh-riz-muh-tuh]. /kəˈrɪz mə tə/.
Theology. a divinely conferred gift or power.
a spiritual power or personal quality that gives an individual influence or authority over large numbers of people.
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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT
Also char·ism [kar-iz-uhm]. /ˈkær ɪz əm/.

Origin of charisma

1635–45; <Late Latin <Greek, equivalent to char- (base of cháris favor, charízesthai to favor; akin to yearn, exhort) + -isma-ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to charisma

allure, glamour, magnetism, appeal, dazzle, fascination, flash, it, pizazz, witchcraft, witchery, animal magnetism, something

How to use charisma in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for charisma

charisma

charism (ˈkærɪzəm)

/ (kəˈrɪzmə) /
noun
a special personal quality or power of an individual making him capable of influencing or inspiring large numbers of people
a quality inherent in a thing which inspires great enthusiasm and devotion
Christianity a divinely bestowed power or talent

Derived forms of charisma

charismatic (ˌkærɪzˈmætɪk), adjective

Word Origin for charisma

C17: from Church Latin, from Greek kharisma, from kharis grace, favour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for charisma

charisma
[ (kuh-riz-muh) ]

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

notes for charisma

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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK