What does hex mean?
Hex is most often used as a noun for a curse, spell, or supernatural influence believed to bring misfortune. The related verb, usually “hex,” means to put someone or something under such a spell or to jinx it: “The villagers believed the stranger had hexed the well.” In a less common but historically important sense, a hex is a group or set of six, and the word can also mean a person or thing associated with bad luck. Its history is unusually varied. The numerical sense comes from Greek hexa-, the root shared by words such as hexagon and hexadecimal, while the spell sense developed from German Hexe, meaning “witch.” In modern English, the bad-luck sense dominates, so “cast a hex” and “break a hex” are natural expressions, whereas the six-related use may need context. Hex also survives in technical vocabulary as shorthand for hexadecimal, especially in “hex code.” Overall, the word links an ordinary idea of supernatural harm with a separate classical tradition concerning six.
A curse, spell, or supernatural influence believed to bring misfortune. It can also refer to a person or thing regarded as causing bad luck, or, less commonly, a group or set of six.
"The villagers believed she had placed a hex on the village."
The group-of-six sense is less common than the curse or spell sense and often needs context to be understood.
To put someone or something under a spell or curse, especially with the intention of causing misfortune.
"The old story says the witch hexed the village after the villagers refused to help her."
This verb is commonly used in narratives about curses, supernatural influence, and jinxes.
The standard plural of the noun is “hexes.”
"The village collected stories of hexes and curses from the surrounding farms."
A hex can mean either a group of six or a supernatural curse—two meanings with remarkably different historical origins.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hex come from?
The six-related sense comes through English from Greek hexa-, meaning “six,” the same root seen in hexagon and hexadecimal. The curse or spell sense entered English in the late 16th century from German Hexe, meaning “witch,” and was extended to refer to a spell or curse. Thus the modern word joins a Greek numerical lineage with a Germanic word associated with witches.
Related word forms
How hex is actually used
The curse or spell sense is the dominant modern meaning. The group-of-six sense is less common and can sound somewhat literary or technical. In computing, “hex” is also a familiar abbreviation for “hexadecimal,” as in “hex code.”