different between personable vs charming

English

Alternative forms

• personible (obsolete)
• parsonable (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English personable, personabil, equivalent to person +? -able. Compare Medieval Latin personabilis (“personal”), found in a late 13th century British source. The Middle French personable (“remarkable, important”) doesn't appear until 1528.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p??(?)s?n?b?l/

Adjective

personable (comparative more personable, superlative most personable)

1. (of a person) Having a pleasing appearance or manner; attractive; handsome; friendly; amiable.
   • 1822, Sir Walter Scott, The Fortunes of Nigel, ch. 19:

     I admit him a personable man, for I have seen him; and I will suppose him courteous and agreeable.

   • 1908, E. M. Forster, A Room With a View, ch. 12:

     Barefoot, bare-chested, radiant and personable against the shadowy woods, he called: "Hullo, Miss Honeychurch! Hullo!"

   • 1919, Joseph A. Altsheler. The Sun Of Quebec, ch. 5:

     I'm bound to admit that you're a personable young rascal, with the best manners I've met in a long time.

   • 2009, Randy James, "2-Min. Bio: Stephanie Birkitt: Letterman's Lover?," Time, 5 Oct.:

     Aside from being incredibly funny and personable he is generous, kind and is great fun to play catch with.

2. (law) Enabled to maintain pleas in court.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Cowell to this entry?)

3. Having capacity to take anything granted.

Synonyms

• (having a pleasing appearance or manner): affable

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English charmyng; equivalent to charm +? -ing.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?t???(?).m??/
• Rhymes: -??(r)m??

Adjective

charming (comparative charminger or more charming, superlative (nonstandard) charmest or charmingest or most charming)

1. Pleasant, charismatic.

   Synonyms: charismatic, smart, witty

   Antonyms: dull, charmless
2. Delightful in a playful way which avoids responsibility or seriousness, as if attracting through a magical charm.

   Antonyms: silly, charmless

Translations

Verb

charming

1. present participle of charm

Noun

charming (plural charmings)

1. The casting of a magical charm.
   • 1616, Thomas Middleton, The Witch

     They denied me often flour, barm and milk, / Goose-grease and tar, when I ne'er hurt their charmings, / Their brewlocks, nor their batches, nor forespoke / Any of their breedings.

Anagrams

• marching