charisma
noun
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The Greek word charisma means "favor" or "gift." It comes from the verb charizesthai ("to favor"), which in turn comes from the noun charis, meaning "grace." In English, charisma was originally used in Christian contexts to refer to a gift or power bestowed upon an individual by the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church—a sense that is now very rare. These days, we use the word to refer to social, rather than divine, grace. For instance, a leader with charisma may easily gain popular support, and a job applicant with charisma may shine in an interview.
Examples of charisma in a Sentence
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Maggie Kuntz breathes both charisma and sensitivity into Ivy Watkins, making the conflicted teen feel raw and sympathetic rather than a melodramatic mean girl.
—EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
His charisma and wit were even more unforgettable in person than on the screen.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
Beyond music, Flav became a pop culture icon in the 2000s through reality TV hits like The Surreal Life, Strange Love, and Flavor of Love, where his chaotic charisma drew in a new wave of fans.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for charisma
Cite this Entry
“Charisma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charisma. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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charisma
noun
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