charismatic

American  

[kar-iz-mat-ik] / ˌkær ɪzˈmæt ɪk /

adjective

1. of, having, or characteristic of charisma.

   His military successes go hand in hand with his charismatic leadership.

2. (of a species, especially an endangered one) prone to popular appeal and widespread attention.

   The giant panda and humpback whale are among the charismatic megafauna that attract donors who contribute to environmental causes.

3. relating to, characterizing, or noting Christians of various denominations who seek an ecstatic religious experience, sometimes including speaking in tongues and instantaneous healing.

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noun

1. a Christian who seeks an ecstatic religious experience.

   For most charismatics, theology is inseparable from the Bible.

Usage

What does charismatic mean? Charismatic is used to describe people who have an outgoing, energetic, and likable personality that seems to naturally draw other people to them.Charismatic is the adjective form of the noun charisma, which refers to the magnetic and charming personal quality that draws people to someone. A person with charisma is thought to be able to easily influence others.Charismatic is most often used in a positive way as a compliment, but it can also be applied to people who influence others in a negative way, such as a charismatic cult leader.The word is also used in a more specific way to refer to Christians who pursue ecstatic or trancelike religious experiences (like speaking in tongues) that are outside of more mainstream beliefs.Example: People like a candidate who’s charismatic and can get them excited, not someone who just drones on about facts and figures.

Other Word Forms

• noncharismatic adjective
• uncharismatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of charismatic

First recorded in 1865–70; from Greek charismat-, stem of chárisma “grace, favor” + -ic English adjective suffix; charisma, -ic

Example Sentences

‘This Is a Story,’ filled with enlarged plates and tables, cheeky chapels and flowing beards, has a charismatic presence.

From Los Angeles Times

The former Treasury secretary and Harvard president was, in effect, making the charismatic young radical — a newly-minted official in Greece’s left-wing government — an offer of the sort you’re not supposed to refuse.

From Salon

But it faces a mammoth task, with polls showing that the Green Party -- newly headed by a charismatic leader 30 years younger than Corbyn -- is mopping up most disaffected lefties.

From Barron's

Officials say he is known for being easy to talk to and an effective and charismatic leader.

From The Wall Street Journal

Charismatics emphasize practices that used to be fringe in American Christianity, such as “ideas of faith healing or miracles, prophecy, and the occult/demonic forces of opposition,” are normalizing as charismatic Christianity surges, he added.

From Salon

Related Words

• appealing