What does conjure mean?
To conjure is to make something appear or come about as if by magic, whether by performing a ritual, casting a spell, or executing a clever trick. Historically tied to the invocation of spirits, the word today is used mostly in a figurative sense: we speak of conjuring up images, memories, feelings, or solutions — bringing them vividly before the mind as though materialized from nothing. A chef might conjure a meal from scraps; a writer might conjure an entire world from a few lines of prose. The word carries connotations of ingenuity, artistry, and a touch of mystery, since whatever is conjured seems to arrive effortlessly or inexplicably. Derived forms include "conjurer" or "conjuror," meaning a magician, and "conjuration," the act or formula of summoning. Rooted in Latin, it shares origins with related words such as "abjure" and "perjure." Versatile and evocative, "conjure" bridges the language of stage magic and the ordinary act of imaginative creation.
verbTo conjure is to make something appear as if by magic, typically by invoking a spell or ritual, or more broadly to create or evoke something vividly in the mind.
- To make something appear or happen as if by magic, especially through a ritual, spell, or sleight of hand.
- To call upon or summon something, such as a spirit or supernatural force.
- To evoke or bring to mind a memory, image, or feeling vividly.
- (Conjure up) To devise or produce something, such as a plan, meal, or idea, often resourcefully.
"The magician conjured a dove out of an empty hat."
"She closed her eyes and seemed to conjure a vision of her childhood home on the windswept moor."
"With little in the fridge, he managed to conjure up a surprisingly good dinner from leftovers."
Conjure comes from the Latin for "to swear together" — medieval magicians literally swore oaths alongside their spells to summon spirits.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conjure
"Conjure" derives from the Latin verb "coniurare," meaning "to swear together" or "to conspire by oath," formed from "com-" (together) and "iurare" (to swear). In medieval Latin it came to denote invoking spirits with sworn incantations, and the word entered Middle English around the thirteenth century with this sense of summoning supernatural forces. Over time its meaning broadened from literal magic to the figurative evoking of images and ideas. It shares its Latin root with other oath-related words such as "abjure," "adjure," and "perjure."
Related word forms
How conjure is actually used
In everyday modern usage, "conjure" most often appears in the phrasal form "conjure up," applied figuratively to evoking images, memories, or solutions rather than literal magic. The literal magical sense carries a slightly theatrical or archaic flavor. The spelling "conjuror" is preferred in British English, while "conjurer" is standard in American English.
Easily confused with conjure
"Conjure" means to summon or evoke something, while "conjecture" means to form an opinion or guess without sufficient evidence.