Meaning & use
sorcery
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountable
The use of magic powers, especially through spells, to influence events or people.
Grammar: Uncountable noun: no plural, no 'a' before it. Say 'the use of sorcery', not 'a sorcery'.
Patterns
- use sorcery
- practice sorcery
- by sorcery
The villagers accused her of using sorcery to control the weather.
In the legend, the king was defeated by sorcery.
He studied ancient books of sorcery to learn powerful spells.
Common combinations
- practice sorcery
- In some cultures, it was forbidden to practice sorcery.
- use sorcery
- The wizard used sorcery to open the gate.
- by sorcery
- The castle was protected by sorcery.
- dark sorcery
- Dark sorcery was said to corrupt the soul.
Synonyms and how they differ
- witchcraft
- Often refers to the practices of witches, especially in a historical or folk context; sorcery can be broader and more literary.
- magic
- A general term that can be neutral or positive; sorcery often carries a darker, forbidden connotation.
Word family
Commonly confused: sorcery or sourcery?
sorcery vs sourcery
Not a real word; the correct spelling is sorcery.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'sorcery' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Sorcery is an uncountable noun meaning the use of magic, so 'accused of sorcery' is correct. Option 0 is wrong because sorcery is not a physical object. Option 2 is wrong because sorcery cannot be plural or take 'were'. Option 3 is wrong because 'sorcery' is not a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sorcery”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.