conjure
KUN-jer
/ˈkʌn.dʒər/
To summon or bring into existence as if by magic; to perform illusions.
Often carries a slightly mystical or supernatural connotation, suggesting making something appear out of nothing.
The story behind the word. From Latin conjurare (to swear together, conspire), from com- (together) and jurare (to swear). Originally meant invoking spirits or binding them by an oath, which evolved into performing magical tricks.
Word relationships
- summon: Summon is typically used for calling people or spirits to a place, while conjure emphasizes the magical appearance of objects or effects.
- banish: Banish means to send away or make disappear, which is the opposite of conjuring something into existence.
Commonly confused with
- produce: Produce is a general term for bringing something forth, whereas conjure implies a magical or mysterious origin.
Word family
- conjurer (noun): A magician or illusionist.
- conjuration (noun): The act of summoning a spirit or producing a magical effect.
Collocations
- conjure up
- conjure from nothing
- conjure an image
Idioms & expressions
- conjure up memories
Example sentences
- "The street performer seemed to conjure a live dove from a burning piece of paper." A classic street magic performance.
Memory hook
Picture a con artist jury swearing to make a rabbit appear in court. Swearing to make it appear.
When not to use
Do not use when describing the physical mechanics of a trick; it is used for the theatrical effect of appearance.
Fun facts
- In medieval times, conjuring was considered a dangerous practice of dark magic, but by the 18th century, it became synonymous with harmless stage entertainment.
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