What does exorcizer mean?
An exorcizer is a person who performs an exorcism—a ritual intended to drive out an evil spirit or other malevolent supernatural presence. The term is less common than the shorter and more familiar exorcist, but it explicitly emphasizes the agent who carries out the ritual. In neutral prose, an exorcizer can be described simply as the person performing the ceremony, without implying that the supernatural claims associated with it have been established. The word occurs naturally in religious, historical, and fictional accounts of rituals intended to confront demonic possession, haunted places, or other spiritual dangers. It also has a strong narrative association with stories in which an individual confronts forces hidden within a person, household, or sacred space. Although uncommon in everyday speech, exorcizer is useful when the focus is on the performer and the action rather than on the broader category of a religious practitioner.
nounA person who performs an exorcism, especially one believed to drive out evil spirits or other malevolent supernatural presences.
- A person who performs an exorcism or is believed to have the power to drive out evil spirits.
"The frightened villagers summoned an exorcizer after the strange sounds began in the chapel."
"The exorcizer read from the ancient book while the congregation waited."
"She portrayed a mysterious exorcizer in her stage adaptation of the folklore."
The regular plural adds -s.
"Two famous exorcizers are portrayed in the exhibition."
The word reaches back through Greek to horkos, “oath”—a reminder that the ritual began, etymologically, with a solemn pledge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does exorcizer come from?
English inherited the verb exorcize through French from Latin exorcizare, which was derived from Greek exorkizein, a word associated with adjuring or expelling spirits. Greek exorkizein was formed from ex-, meaning “out,” and horkizein, meaning “to swear on oath,” ultimately connected with horkos, “oath.” The noun exorcizer was formed in English by adding the agentive suffix -er to exorcize, producing the standard spelling in American usage.
How exorcizer is actually used
This is a relatively uncommon and specialist noun. Exorcist is much more usual in ordinary English and in discussions of religious practice.
Easily confused with exorcizer
Exorciser is a chiefly British spelling of the same agent noun, while exorcizer is the more common American spelling.