Meaning & use
witch
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
In stories and folklore, a woman who uses magic powers, often pictured with a broom and a pointed hat.
Grammar: Has a plural: witches.
Patterns
- a witch's hat
The children dressed as a witch and a ghost for Halloween.
In the story, a wicked witch turns the prince into a frog.
She read about a kind witch who helped the village.
nouncountablereligion
A person who practices modern witchcraft as a nature-based religion.
Grammar: Used for men and women in modern use.
The witch explained that her faith honors the seasons.
Modern witches often gather at the solstice.
He identifies as a witch and follows a nature religion.
nouncountableoffensivedisapproving
An unkind or unpleasant woman.
Grammar: Insulting when used about a real woman.
The word witch is an insult when used about a real woman.
The old novel calls the headmistress a witch.
Calling someone a witch in this way is rude and sexist.
Word forms
| plural | witches |
|---|
Common combinations
- wicked witch
- The wicked witch locked the children in a tower.
- witch hunt
- The politician said the investigation was a witch hunt.
- witch doctor
- The explorer wrote about a witch doctor in the village.
- witch's brew
- The witch stirred her brew over the fire.
- good witch
- The good witch gave her a magic wand.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sorceress
- Sorceress sounds more grand and fantasy-like, while witch is the more common everyday word.
- enchantress
- Enchantress suggests a charming woman who casts spells, often a more attractive figure than a witch.
- wizard
- Wizard is the male-style counterpart, while witch is used mainly for women.
Word family
- witchcraft noun
- the use of magic powers
- witchy adjective
- like a witch, often in a mysterious way
- bewitch verb
- to cast a spell on or charm someone completely
- witch hunt noun
- an unfair search to punish people for their views
Commonly confused: witch or which?
witch vs which
Which is a question word and sounds the same as witch in most accents, but it has nothing to do with magic.
Practice
The politician called the inquiry a ____ hunt, meaning it was an unfair attack.
Choose one answer.
Witch hunt is the established phrase for an unfair persecution. Which is a different word, and wizard and warlock do not form the phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “witch”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.