Charm

A new student joins a class where no one knows her. She does not brag or try too hard. Instead, she smiles warmly, asks people about their weekend, and remembers everyone’s name. Within a week, even the shyest classmates feel comfortable around her. There is something about her gentle manner that makes people like her without knowing why. What does the new student have? She has charm (she charms everyone she meets).

Charm means to attract or please someone through natural warmth, politeness, or charisma. Dazzle, by contrast, means to impress so strongly that others are almost blinded by brilliance or showiness. So, charm focuses on gentle, sincere appeal that wins people over gradually. Dazzle focuses on overwhelming brilliance that shocks and awes instantly. In other words, a kind person charms you with a simple smile; a performer dazzles you with shining costumes and amazing tricks.