What does glamorous mean?
Glamorous describes something that is strikingly attractive, elegant, stylish, or exciting. It is often used for people, especially those associated with fashion, entertainment, wealth, or luxury, but it can also modify clothing, places, events, and lifestyles. The word carries a strong positive visual association, suggesting beauty, sophistication, and appeal, though it may occasionally imply glamour that is superficial or carefully manufactured. In more literary contexts, glamorous can also mean magical or enchanting, as in a landscape with a glamorous, dreamlike beauty. In standard English, glamorous is the usual spelling; glamourous is a recognized variant. The related noun glamour names the quality of being glamorous, while the nouns glamor and glamour are alternative spellings in American and British usage respectively. Overall, glamorous is useful for describing beauty or appeal that is vivid, polished, and memorable rather than merely ordinary.
adjectiveAttractive or exciting in an elegant, sophisticated, or dazzling way. In literary use, it can also mean magical, enchanting, or full of mysterious beauty.
- Attractive, stylish, or exciting in an elegant or sophisticated way.
- Magical, enchanting, or mysteriously beautiful, especially in literary or figurative use.
"She looked glamorous in a shimmering silver dress."
"The film made her seem glamorous, confident, and untouchable."
"The old castle had a glamorous, otherworldly beauty."
Glamorous began life as a word for magic and enchantment before shifting into its modern sense of dazzling elegance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does glamorous come from?
Glamorous developed from the English noun glamor or glamour, both of which were influenced by Scottish usage. These nouns originally referred to magic, enchantment, or mysterious beauty, before the meaning expanded toward attractiveness, elegance, and fashionable appeal during the 20th century. The adjective was formed by adding the suffix -ous to this root, with both glamorous and the older spelling glamourous appearing in English.
Related word forms
How glamorous is actually used
The word is common in descriptions of people, clothing, places, lifestyles, and events. It is often complimentary but can sometimes suggest superficiality, luxury, or a carefully constructed public image. “Glamourous” is an accepted but less usual spelling variant.
Easily confused with glamorous
“Glamorous” is the standard modern spelling, while “glamourous” is a less common variant with the same meaning.