Etymologically
Log in Sign up
English

glamour

History

Etymology

First recorded in 1715,[1][2] borrowed from Scots glamour (“magic, enchantment”),[3][4] an alteration of grammar in its old sense of learning, especially occult learning,[1][5] from the popular association of erudition with magic.[2][3] Compare gramarye.[6][1] It was introduced into the literary language by Sir Walter Scott.[6][1]

The sense “magical beauty, alluring charm” is recorded by 1840.[1] A connection with Old Norse glámr has also been suggested.[4] Doublet of grimoire.[4]

References

  1. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  2. [1] [2] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. [1] [2] The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  4. [1] [2] [3] Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  5. [1] Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
  6. [1] [2] Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Last edited on 5 October 2026.