võluv

Võluv is an Estonian adjective meaning bewitching, charming, or enchanting. It is used to describe people, performances, places, or things that have a magnetic appeal or a sense of magic. In everyday language it can convey a quality that is both attractive and slightly magical, without implying literal spellcasting.

Etymology and related terms: Võluv is formed from the root võlu, meaning magic or charm, together with the adjectival suffix -uv. Related words include võlu (magic, charm), võluma (to enchant), and võlur (wizard). These terms share the same root and are commonly found in discussions of charm and enchantment.

Usage and nuance: Võluv denotes a pleasant, captivating kind of charm rather than a purely practical attractiveness. For stronger or more intense spellbinding, lummav is often used. Common collocations include võluv naeratus (a bewitching smile), võluv laul (an enchanting song), and võluv maastik (an enchanting landscape). In predicative use, one can say Ta on võluv or See on võluv, with emphasis achieved through context or adverbs like väga.

See also: võlu, võlur, lummav. Võluv appears in literary and media language as a versatile descriptor for aesthetic appeal that feels magical or irresistibly attractive, while remaining grounded in ordinary experience.