charism

A leader's charism inspires trust and unity among the people.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Spiritual gift: "charism" refers to a divinely conferred power or talent, often used in a religious context, such as in Christianity, to describe a special grace or ability given to an individual for the benefit of others.
   • Personal magnetism: In a broader sense, "charism" denotes a compelling attractiveness or charm that inspires devotion or enthusiasm in others, similar to "charisma."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The leader’s charism drew followers from all walks of life. (The leader’s spiritual gift or personal magnetism attracted many people.)
  • In the early church, the apostle Paul spoke of various charisms, such as prophecy and healing. (Spiritual gifts given by God for communal service.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have a charism for teaching": to possess a special talent or grace for instructing others.

  • She has a charism for teaching that makes complex subjects easy to understand. (She has a natural gift or divinely inspired ability to teach.)

• "charism of leadership": a spiritual or personal quality that enables effective guidance.

  • His charism of leadership was evident in how he inspired the team during the crisis. (His innate ability to lead and motivate others.)

Variants and Related Words

• Charismatic (adj): having a special power or quality that attracts others.

  • The charismatic speaker held the audience spellbound. (The speaker had a compelling charm or spiritual gift that captivated listeners.)

• Charisma (n): a common variant of "charism," meaning personal magnetism or charm. Note: "Charisma" is more widely used in modern contexts, while "charism" often retains a religious nuance.

  • Her charisma made her a natural leader. (Her personal charm and magnetism.)

Synonyms

• Gift: a natural ability or talent.
• Grace: a divine favor or blessing.
• Charm: the power to attract or delight.

Phrasal Verbs

• None: "Charism" is not typically used in phrasal verbs.

Related Idioms

• To have the charism of healing: to possess a spiritual gift for curing ailments.

  • The monk was known to have the charism of healing, and many pilgrims visited him. (He had a divinely given ability to heal.)

• To exercise a charism: to actively use a spiritual gift.

  • She exercises her charism of hospitality by welcoming strangers into her home. (She puts her gift of welcoming others into practice.)