Definition of 'witch'

Word Frequency

witch

(wɪtʃ

)

Word forms: witches

1. countable noun

In fairy tales, a witch is a woman, usually an old woman, who has evil magic powers. Witches often wear a pointed black hat.

2. countable noun

A witch is someone who claims to have magic powers and to be able to use them for good or bad purposes.

More Synonyms of witch

Video: pronunciation of
witch

witch in American English

(wɪtʃ )

noun

a person, esp. a woman, having supernatural power as by a compact with the devil or evil spirits; sorceress

an ugly and ill-tempered old woman; hag; crone

a practitioner or follower of white magic or of Wicca

4. Informal

a bewitching or fascinating woman or girl

5. US

water witch (sense 1)

verb transitive

to put a magic spell on; bewitch

7. Archaic

to charm; fascinate

verb intransitive

8. US

dowse2

Derived forms

witchlike (ˈwitchˌlike)

adjective

witchy (ˈwitchy)

adjectiveWord forms: ˈwitchier or ˈwitchiest

Word origin

ME wicche < OE wicce, fem. of wicca, sorcerer, akin to MDu wicken, to use magic < IE base *weik-, to separate (hence set aside for religious worship) > Goth weihs, holy, OE wig, idol

Word Frequency

witch in American English

(wɪtʃ)

noun

a person, now esp. a woman, who professes or is supposed to practice magic, esp. black magic or the black art; sorceress

Compare warlock

2. informal, derogatory

an ugly or mean old woman

the old witch who used to own this building

a person who uses a divining rod; dowser

transitive verb

4. (often fol. by into, to, etc.)

to bring by or as by witchcraft

She witched him into going

5. archaic

to affect as if by witchcraft; bewitch; charm

intransitive verb

to prospect with a divining rod; dowse

adjective

of, pertaining to, or designed as protection against witches

Derived forms

witchhood

noun

witchlike

adjective

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME wicche, OE wicce (fem.; cf. wicca (masc.) wizard; see wicked)]

Word Frequency

witch in British English 1

(wɪtʃ

)

noun

historically, in mythology and fiction, a woman believed to practise magic or sorcery, esp black magic

a practitioner of a Nature-based religion founded on ancient beliefs, which honours both a male and female divine principle and includes the practice of magic, esp healing magic, and divination

3. informal, derogatory

an ugly or wicked woman

a fascinating or enchanting woman

5. short for water witch

verb

6. (transitive)

to cause or change by or as if by witchcraft

7. a less common word for bewitch

Derived forms

witchlike (ˈwitchˌlike)

adjective

Word origin

Old English wicca; related to Middle Low German wicken to conjure, Swedish vicka to move to and fro

Word Frequency

witch in British English 2

(wɪtʃ

)

noun

a flatfish, Pleuronectes (or Glyptocephalus) cynoglossus, of N Atlantic coastal waters, having a narrow greyish-brown body marked with tiny black spots: family Pleuronectidae (plaice, flounders, etc)

Word origin

C19: perhaps from witch1, alluding to the appearance of the fish

Word Frequency

witch- in British English

or wych-

prefix

having pliant branches

witchweed

Word origin

Old English wice and wic; probably from Germanic wik- bend

Examples of 'witch' in a sentence
witch

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We're clearly looking at a witch hunt here. NORTHERN Ireland veterans were yesterday given fresh hope the witch hunt against them could be ended.There are fears as many as 1,000 ex-servicemen could face charges in the current witch hunt.It is a historical witch hunt on the part of the left.Is there a witch hazel you love?He will claim that he is being subjected to a witch hunt.The practice of witchcraft was often blamed for poor weather and there was a witch hunt hysteria at the time.It's like a panto without a wicked witch.Witch hazel is an old-fashioned ingredient that is perhaps best known in this regard.As you get older, you're always playing some awful old witch.