Etymology Map
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Glamour

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means attractive or exciting quality

Where does the word "glamour" come from? It comes from Latin grammatica, passing through Scots before entering English (1720s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
grammatica
Latin · ancient
"grammar, learning"
from Greek 'grammatikē', the art of letters
2
Stage 2 of 3
glamer
Scots · 1700s
"magic spell"
a Scots alteration of 'grammar', meaning a magic enchantment
3
Stage 3 of 3
glamour
English · 1720s
"magic spell"
Walter Scott popularized it; the sense 'alluring charm' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Glamour’s story begins in Latin: grammatica meant “grammar, learning.” From Greek 'grammatikē', the art of letters. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in Scots as glamer. A Scots alteration of 'grammar', meaning a magic enchantment. It reached English by 1720s as glamour. Walter Scott popularized it; the sense 'alluring charm' dates from the 1800s. Today, glamour means attractive or exciting quality.