charming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "charming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is delightful, attractive, or pleasing in a way that captures interest or affection. Example: "The quaint little café had a charming atmosphere that made everyone feel at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I realised what a sweet, charming man he was.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Boyfriend-fit tweed jackets worn over pretty floral dresses were charming, and a pinstripe suit paired with a plaid shirt had that smart-casual contrast just right.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is cool here!" Bobo, who speaks six languages, was a charming guide with a great sense of humour – and great fashion sense, mixing a batik suit with a modern gilet, or zebra-print shorts with a trendy T-shirt.

The Guardian - Travel

But as soon as I press on how this charming man could have caused such offence, every point becomes contested.

The Guardian

Already charming, with a guestroom sleeping up to four, it's set to get even better: the Yarrows have plans to renovate the house in early 2015.

The Guardian - Travel

Happily, Football Focus's charming anchor, Dan Walker, is willing to overlook my sporting ignorance when he joins me for a chat and a biscuit in one of several BBC outside broadcast trucks situated in Villa's car park.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Funny, charming and, unlike so much reality TV, it actually feels real.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Comic performance art was also in on the act, with Figs in Wigs taking an off-kilter look at female objectification in We Object, while in the charming but disturbing show Credible, Likeable Superstar Role Model, Bryony Kimmings and her nine year old niece Taylor, created an alterative aspirational pop star – complete with dance moves – to look at the sexualisation of tween girls.

The Guardian

We found the charming Windward Islands Cruising company in London, fully described our concerns about our inexperience and let them get on with it.

The Guardian - Travel

The global pictures of the Queen and Prince Phillip disarming and charming the Irish public and the "money shot in Moneygall" of a US president downing a pint of Guinness will be used to persuade British and American travellers to come to the Republic in greater numbers.

The Guardian

So charming and so innocent; but you can't really imagine Russell Crowe doing that, can you?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "charming" to describe something that is not only visually appealing but also has a pleasant and inviting quality.

Common error

While "charming" is generally positive, avoid overusing it in formal or business writing where more professional terms like "appealing" or "favorable" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "charming" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, adding a positive attribute to a noun. Ludwig provides many examples of how it describes people, places and things in a positive way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "charming" is a versatile adjective used to describe something as pleasant, attractive, and delightful. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle contexts, it conveys positive sentiment and admiration. While generally appropriate, be mindful of overuse in highly formal contexts where alternatives like "appealing" or "agreeable" might be more suitable. Its semantic range includes alternatives such as "delightful", "enchanting", and "captivating", each offering a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appealing

Focuses on the quality of attracting or pleasing someone.

delightful

Emphasizes the quality of causing joy or pleasure.

enchanting

Suggests a magical or captivating quality.

captivating

Highlights the ability to hold someone's attention.

winsome

Implies a childlike innocence and charm.

magnetic

Emphasizes a powerful, irresistible attraction.

fetching

Highlights an attractive and pleasing quality.

irresistible

Focuses on the inability to be resisted due to its charm.

personable

Highlights the quality of having a pleasant personality.

pleasant

Describes something that is agreeable and provides satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "charming" in a sentence?

You can use "charming" to describe something delightful or attractive, for example: "The small village had a "charming" atmosphere."

What are some synonyms for "charming"?

Alternatives to "charming" include "delightful", "appealing", and "enchanting", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "charming" in formal writing?

While "charming" is generally positive, it may be more suitable for informal or descriptive writing. Consider alternatives like "pleasant" or "agreeable" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "charming" and "attractive"?

"Attractive" generally refers to physical appearance, while "charming" implies a delightful or pleasing quality that goes beyond mere looks. Someone can be "attractive" without being "charming", and vice versa.