Etymology Map
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Charm

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the power to delight; a small trinket

Where does the word "charm" come from? It comes from Latin carmen, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
carmen
Latin · ancient
"song, incantation"
a magic chant
2
Stage 2 of 3
charme
Old French · medieval
"spell"
a magic spell
3
Stage 3 of 3
charm
English · 1300s
"spell"
the sense 'attractiveness' dates from the 1600s
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Charm’s story begins in Latin: carmen meant “song, incantation.” A magic chant. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as charme. A magic spell. It reached English by 1300s as charm. The sense 'attractiveness' dates from the 1600s. Today, charm means the power to delight; a small trinket.