cha r-grilled also chargrilled ADJ [usu ADJ n] Char-grilled meat or fish has been cooked so that it burns slightly and turns black. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use charbroiled
chari|ot /tʃæ riət/ (chariots ) N‑COUNT In ancient times, chariots were fast-moving vehicles with two wheels that were pulled by horses.
cha|ris|ma /kər I zmə/ N‑UNCOUNT You say that someone has charisma when they can attract, influence, and inspire people by their personal qualities. □ He has neither the policies nor the personal charisma to inspire people.
char|is|mat|ic /kæ r I zmæ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A charismatic person attracts, influences, and inspires people by their personal qualities. □ …her striking looks and charismatic personality.
chari|table /tʃæ r I təb ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A charitable organization or activity helps and supports people who are ill or very poor, or who have a disability. □ …charitable work for cancer awareness.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is charitable to people is kind or understanding towards them. □ [+ towards ] They were rather less than charitable towards the referee.
char|ity ◆◇◇ /tʃæ r I ti/ (charities )
1 N‑COUNT A charity is an organization which raises money in order to help people who are sick or very poor, or who have a disability. □ The National Trust is a registered charity. □ She was working as a volunteer at a homeless charity in Cambridge.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you give money to charity , you give it to one or more charitable organizations. If you do something for charity , you do it in order to raise money for one or more charitable organizations. □ He made substantial donations to charity. □ Gooch will be raising money for charity. □ …a charity event.
3 N‑UNCOUNT People who live on charity live on money or goods which other people give them because they are poor. □ My mum was very proud. She wouldn't accept charity. □ Her husband is unemployed and the family depends on charity.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Charity is kindness and understanding towards other people. [FORMAL ]
cha r|ity shop (charity shops ) N‑COUNT A charity shop is a shop that sells used goods cheaply and gives its profits to a charity. [BRIT ] in AM, use thrift shop
char|la|tan /ʃɑː r lət ə n/ (charlatans ) N‑COUNT You describe someone as a charlatan when they pretend to have skills or knowledge that they do not really possess. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was exposed as a charlatan.
Charles|ton /tʃɑː r lstən/ N‑SING The Charleston is a lively dance that was popular in the 1920s.
charm /tʃɑː r m/ (charms , charming , charmed )
1 N‑VAR Charm is the quality of being pleasant or attractive. □ 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', the 1937 Disney classic, has lost none of its original charm. □ The house had its charms, not the least of which was the furniture that came with it.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Someone who has charm behaves in a friendly, pleasant way that makes people like them. □ He was a man of great charm and distinction.
3 VERB If you charm someone, you please them, especially by using your charm. □ [V n] He even charmed Mrs Prichard, carrying her shopping and flirting with her, though she's 83.
4 N‑COUNT A charm is a small ornament that is fixed to a bracelet or necklace.
5 N‑COUNT A charm is an act, saying, or object that is believed to have magic powers. □ …a good luck charm.
6 PHRASE If you say that something worked like a charm , you mean that it was very effective or successful. □ Economically, the policy worked like a charm.
charmed /tʃɑː r md/ ADJ [ADJ n] A charmed place, time, or situation is one that is very beautiful or pleasant, and seems slightly separate from the real world or real life. [WRITTEN ] □ …the charmed atmosphere of Oxford in the late Twenties.
cha rmed ci r|cle N‑SING If you refer to a group of people as a charmed circle , you mean that they seem to have special power or influence, and do not allow anyone else to join their group. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the immense role played by this very small charmed circle of critics.
charm|er /tʃɑː r mə r / (charmers )
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone, especially a man, as a charmer , you think that they behave in a very charming but rather insincere way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He comes across as an intelligent, sophisticated, charmer.
2 → see also snake charmer
charm|ing /tʃɑː r m I ŋ/
1 ADJ If you say that something is charming , you mean that it is very pleasant or attractive. □ …a charming little fishing village. □ …the charming custom of wearing a rose on that day. ● charm|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ There's something charmingly old-fashioned about his brand of entertainment.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as charming , you mean they behave in a friendly, pleasant way that makes people like them. □ …a charming young man. □ [+ to ] He can be charming to his friends. ● charm|ing|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Calder smiled charmingly and put out his hand. 'A pleasure, Mrs Talbot.'
charm|less /tʃɑː r mləs/ ADJ If you say that something or someone is charmless , you mean that they are unattractive or uninteresting. [WRITTEN ] □ …flat, charmless countryside.
cha rm of|fen|sive N‑SING If you say that someone has launched a charm offensive , you disapprove of the fact that they are being very friendly to their opponents or people who are causing problems for them. [JOURNALISM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ against ] The Swiss recruitment group, will launch a charm offensive against shareholders to try to bring its takeover deal back to the table.