Definition of 'witch'

Word Frequency

witch

(wɪtʃ )

Word forms: plural witches

1. countable noun

In fairy stories, a witch is a woman, usually an old woman, who has evil magic powers. Witches often wear a pointed black hat, and have a pet black cat.

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

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 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

Example sentences including
witch

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

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.But the many being targeted by witch hunts over'war crimes' need help now.They always saw the witch doctor before they saw me.It is a historical witch hunt on the part of the left.Is there a witch hazel you love?So why the bad press for witches?The idea of witches casting evil spells is itself fantastical.The witch doctors were smearing them with paste and shouting spells at them.

Word lists with
witch

Types of fish, tree

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

Which tree am I?

any Old World coniferous tree of the genus Cedrus, having spreading branches, needle-like evergreen leaves, and erect barrel-shaped cones: family Pinaceae

cedar pine yew

Which tree am I?

any ulmaceous tree of the genus Ulmus, occurring in the N hemisphere, having serrated leaves and winged fruits (samaras): cultivated for shade, ornament, and timber

elm eucalyptus spruce

Which tree am I?

a eucalyptus tree with white trunk and branches

baobab ghost gum Scots pine

Which tree am I?

any of several shrubs or small trees of the N temperate genus Corylus, esp C. avellana, having oval serrated leaves and edible rounded brown nuts: family Corylaceae

hazel horse chestnut silky oak

Which tree am I?

any of several evergreen hemiparasitic trees of the genus Santalum, esp S. album (white sandalwood), of S Asia and Australia, having hard light-coloured heartwood: family Santalaceae

horse chestnut sandalwood silky oak

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