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

This was back in 1995, when we lived on 58th Place, in the upstairs unit of an ash-white triplex in Ladera Heights, many miles south of the glamour and stock beauty of Hollywood Boulevard.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump isn't just a simulacrum, but one that feels nothing but contempt for the real thing, which often has less surface glamour than his gold-painted fakes.

From Salon

There was some glamour for the King ahead of his birthday, as he attended the premiere of Gladiator II, on Wednesday.

From BBC

Her lack of glamour is in sharp contrast to Scherzinger’s Norma, who flits about like a vampire in a black slip dress.

From Los Angeles Times

The first book, covering 1936 to 1950 or so, showcases glamorous stars as well as the work that went into keeping their glamour mysterious; the second book focuses on the 1950s through 1972, when cultural shifts heralded more independence and diversity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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