Talisman
noun /ˈtælɪzmən/ — An object believed to bring luck or protection.
Definition
An object, especially an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and bring good luck; a charm.
Beyond the definition
Talismans work not because of magic but because of meaning — and meaning is its own kind of force. The lucky pen. The worn-smooth stone. The photograph carried into every exam. Whether or not a talisman has power, it has the power of having been believed in, and that's not nothing. It names the human need to carry protection in physical form.
Origin & history
From Arabic tilasm or tilsam, from Byzantine Greek telesma 'completion, initiation ritual', from Greek telein 'to complete, initiate' — related to telos 'end, purpose'. Entered English via French in the 17th century.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She kept her grandmother's ring as a talisman — not for luck, she said, but for continuity.
The photo in his wallet was a kind of talisman: something to hold when the room felt hostile.
The concept of the lucky charm is ancient; every culture has its talisman, its carried protection.
Synonyms
Antonyms
curse, hex
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Glowing object at forest entrance
An adult stands at the entrance to an ancient forest, carrying a small, glowing talisman that seems to illuminate the path.
The glowing object is a talisman—a charm thought to have magic powers. It brings protection and luck to the traveler as they cross the sacred threshold, acting as an essential aid for navigating the mysteries of the forest.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration