glamour

or glam·or

[ glam-er ]

noun

1. the quality of fascinating, alluring, or attracting, especially by a combination of charm and good looks.
2. excitement, adventure, and unusual activity:

   the glamour of being an explorer.

3. magic or enchantment; spell; witchery.

adjective

1. suggestive or full of glamour; glamorous:

   a glamour job in television; glamour stocks.

glamour

/ ˈɡlæmə /

noun

1. charm and allure; fascination
2. 1. fascinating or voluptuous beauty, often dependent on artifice
   2. ( as modifier )

      a glamour girl

3. archaic.
   a magic spell; charm

Spelling Note

See -or ¹.

Word History and Origins

Origin of glamour¹

First recorded in 1710–20; from Scots glamar, glamer, dissimilated variant of grammar in sense “occult learning”

Word History and Origins

Origin of glamour¹

C18: Scottish variant of grammar (hence a magic spell, because occult practices were popularly associated with learning)

Example Sentences

When big events come to town — looking at you, Sundance Film Festival — the parties are next-level, with a bit of Hollywood glamour taking over the town’s historic Main Street.

From Eater

He does not have the supernova ability of Mahomes, the glamour of Tom Brady or even the speed of Hill.

From Washington Post

David — apolitical, law-abiding, and a lowlander to boot — quickly succumbs to Alan’s glamour, swagger and almost whimsical egotism.

From Washington Post

At last, Locked Down gives us at least a little bit of what we’d hoped for all along, some pandemic glamour, if such a thing is possible.

From Time

While it might not have the outright glamour of other soups, I am enamored with it nonetheless.

From Washington Post

So Marvin had the old showbiz glamour in his life from the start.

From The Daily Beast

I said that mixture of glamour and vulnerability is potent, especially if you can sense the vulnerability.

From The Daily Beast

If confidence and strength were instilled in her at a young age, glamour was something she pursued.

From The Daily Beast

His dresses were worn by Hollywood stars and first ladies, emanating glamour and sophistication.

From The Daily Beast

The glamour of the seaside resort has long since been eclipsed by spectacular violence.

From The Daily Beast

Much glamour has been cast upon the names of Solomon and David by their alleged writings.

From Project Gutenberg

The glamour was still upon his eyes with a degree of reality stronger than the reality even of normal life.

From Project Gutenberg

That has been left for us to discover, and that glamour in which we see their age is one afforded only by the lapse of time.

From Project Gutenberg

The glamour of war appeals strongly to most men, to some it calls with irresistible demand.

From Project Gutenberg

Egypt withdrew, the glamour waned, the ancient spell seemed lifted.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allure
• beauty
• charisma
• charm
• color
• prestige