Meaning & use
lucky charm
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A small object that someone keeps or wears because they believe it will bring good luck.
Grammar: Has a plural: she has three lucky charms.
Patterns
- a lucky charm for someone
- wear a lucky charm
She wears a silver bracelet as a lucky charm during every race.
He kept a small stone in his pocket as a lucky charm for the exam.
Her grandfather's old coin has been the family's lucky charm for years.
nouncountablefigurativeinformal
A person or thing that seems to bring good fortune to others by being present.
Grammar: Often used about people: he is our lucky charm.
Patterns
- be someone's lucky charm
Whenever our youngest son attends the match, we win, so he is our lucky charm.
The new striker has proved a lucky charm for the team.
I think the rain was my lucky charm, because the picnic crowd stayed home and I got the best spot.
Word forms
| plural | lucky charms |
|---|
Common combinations
- carry a lucky charm
- He carries a lucky charm in his wallet.
- wear a lucky charm
- The player wears a lucky charm on a chain.
- rub a lucky charm
- She rubbed her lucky charm before stepping on stage.
- act as a lucky charm
- The old scarf acts as a lucky charm.
- the team's lucky charm
- The mascot is the team's lucky charm.
Synonyms and how they differ
- talisman
- A talisman sounds more serious and magical, while a lucky charm is lighter and more everyday.
- mascot
- A mascot represents a team or group, whereas a lucky charm is believed to bring luck.
- amulet
- An amulet is meant to protect against harm, not just bring luck.
- good-luck token
- A good-luck token is a plainer phrase for a small item given for luck.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: lucky charm or charm?
lucky charm vs charm
On its own, charm usually means an attractive quality, but it can also mean a small lucky object, so lucky charm removes confusion.
Practice
Before every match the goalkeeper kisses a tiny medal on his wrist, which he calls his ___.
Choose one answer.
A small object believed to bring luck is a lucky charm. The other options do not describe an object kept for good fortune.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lucky charm”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.