glamour

glamour — noun

1. the desirable, exciting character often associated with wealth, fame, or beauty,

1.nounB2
Definition

the desirable, exciting character often associated with wealth, fame, or beauty, which gives a person, role, or location a special appeal and makes it feel worth wanting

Example

The glamour of Hollywood has drawn young actors from all over the world.

glamour of [place/occupation]

Eri loved the glamour of fashion week, with its bright lights and famous faces.

Common collocations
  • glamour of Hollywood / fashion / celebrity
  • Hollywood glamour
  • old-world glamour
  • movie-star glamour
  • adds glamour to
  • loses its glamour
  • surface glamour
Synonyms
  • allure

    suggests a mysterious, often irresistible attraction, sometimes with a hint of danger or the unknown

  • charm

    warmer and more personal than glamour; describes a likable quality that draws people in gently

  • glitz

    emphasises showy, flashy display that may feel superficial or excessive; overlaps with glamour but less positive

  • appeal

    the broadest term; covers any kind of attractiveness, from job appeal to visual appeal, without the specific link to wealth or fame

Antonyms
  • drabness

    lack of colour, excitement, or visual interest

  • ordinariness

    lack of any special or remarkable quality

Grammar Patterns

the glamour of [place/occupation]

[adjective] + glamour

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — do not use in plural or with the indefinite article 'a'. Frequently appears in the pattern 'the glamour of + [noun phrase]'. Also used attributively, especially in British English, in compounds such as 'glamour model' and 'glamour industry'.

Common Mistakes

She loves the glamous of the city.
She loves the glamour of the city.
'glamour' is the noun; 'glamorous' is the adjective form.
There is a glamour about her.
There is glamour about her.
'glamour' is uncountable and does not take 'a'.
The glamours of Hollywood appeal to me.
The glamour of Hollywood appeals to me.
do not use the plural form.

Word family

  • glamorous
    adjectiveB2
  • glamorize
    verbC1
  • glamorization
    nounC1
  • glam
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Allure suggests a mysterious or irresistible attraction, often with a hint of danger or mystery — for example, the allure of a forbidden city. Glamour is more specific to visible wealth, fame, or beauty: red carpets, designer labels, celebrity status. Charm is warmer and more personal, describing a gentle, likable quality that attracts people without needing wealth or status. Appeal is the broadest word, covering anything from the appeal of a job offer to the visual appeal of a painting. Glitz overlaps with glamour but carries a more negative tone, focusing on flashy, showy display that may feel superficial. Compare: 'The charm of a small village is peaceful, while the glamour of a big-city gala is dazzling.'

allureglitz ↗charm ↗appeal ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • adds glamour to
  • loses its glamour

Prepositions

Etymology

Scottish EnglishMiddle EnglishLatinGreek

Glamour comes from a Scottish variant of the word 'grammar', which in medieval times was associated with learning, scholarship, and occult knowledge — since scholars were sometimes believed to practise magic. The meaning shifted from 'magic spell' or 'enchantment' to its modern sense of exciting attractiveness in the 19th century, helped by the Romantic movement's fascination with the magical and the mysterious.