Witch: meaning, definitions and examples

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witch

[ wɪtʃ ]

^{Context #1}

in folklore

A woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

Synonyms

crone, enchantress, sorceress

Examples of usage

She was accused of being a witch and practicing dark magic.
The witch cast a spell on the villagers to make them fall asleep.

^{Context #2}

informal

A woman who is perceived as unpleasant or wicked.

Synonyms

hag, harpy, shrew

Examples of usage

She's such a witch, always spreading rumors about others.
Don't listen to her, she's just being a witch.

^{Context #3}

informal

To affect by or as if by witchcraft; bewitch.

Synonyms

bewitch, charm, enchant

Examples of usage

The mesmerizing performance witched the audience.
He felt as if he had been witched by her mysterious charm.

Translations

Translations of the word "witch" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bruxa

🇮🇳 जादूगरनी

🇩🇪 Hexe

🇮🇩 penyihir

🇺🇦 відьма

🇵🇱 czarownica

🇯🇵 魔女

🇫🇷 sorcière

🇪🇸 bruja

🇹🇷 cadı

🇰🇷 마녀

🇸🇦 ساحرة

🇨🇿 čarodějnice

🇸🇰 čarodejnica

🇨🇳 女巫

🇸🇮 čarovnica

🇮🇸 gjaldkerfi

🇰🇿 сиқыршы

🇬🇪 დედაქალი

🇦🇿 cadı

🇲🇽 bruja

Word origin

The word 'witch' has Old English origins and has been used for centuries to refer to individuals, particularly women, believed to possess supernatural powers. In medieval Europe, the fear of witches led to mass hysteria and witch hunts, resulting in the persecution and execution of many innocent people. The image of the witch as a malevolent sorceress has been perpetuated in folklore, literature, and popular culture. While modern portrayals of witches vary, the archetype of the witch continues to fascinate and intrigue people around the world.

See also: bewitch, bewitching, witchcraft.