enchantress

[ en-chan-tris, -chahn- ]

noun

1. a woman who practices magic; sorceress.

   Synonyms: siren, witch

2. an irresistibly charming or fascinating woman:

   an enchantress who breaks men's hearts.

   Synonyms: charmer, vamp, temptress, seductress

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of enchantress¹

1325–75; Middle English enchanteresse < Anglo-French, Middle French. See enchanter, -ess

Example Sentences

As his foremost inspiration, Mr. Barth cited Scheherazade, the tale-spinning enchantress who nightly wove stories to keep her master from executing her at dawn.

From New York Times

When she’s on the stage, you can’t take your eyes off her; whether she is being regal, amorous or crushed by betrayal, she commands the space as if she really were an enchantress.

From Seattle Times

A better one might be Medea, an enchantress in Greek myth who murdered her own children.

From Salon

"The evil spirit of Handel's enchantress Alcina evidently infected one audience member at Tuesday's premiere of this new production," he wrote.

From BBC

Describing herself as “a prominent author and Level 4 enchantress,” Fineman said, “I am ready to fight for the American dream — which I caught in this Tibetan singing bowl.”

From New York Times