conjure up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in literary and descriptive contexts.
Quick answer
What does “conjure up” mean?
To bring something to mind, especially an image, memory, or feeling, often vividly or with effort.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To bring something to mind, especially an image, memory, or feeling, often vividly or with effort.
To create or produce something as if by magic; to evoke or summon a spirit, image, or idea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Both varieties use the phrasal verb identically.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British literary contexts, but the difference is minimal.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “conjure up” in a Sentence
conjure up + noun (object)conjure up + noun + for + personVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conjure up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The smell of rain conjured up memories of childhood holidays in Cornwall.
- Can you conjure up a plausible excuse for our lateness?
American English
- The song conjured up images of driving on Route 66.
- She could conjure up enthusiasm for any project.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used metaphorically in marketing ('The ad conjures up a sense of luxury').
Academic
Used in literary criticism, history, and psychology to describe evocative language or memory recall.
Everyday
Common when talking about memories, nostalgia, or vivid descriptions.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conjure up”
- Using it for physical creation ('He conjured up a cake' is odd).
- Confusing it with 'cook up' (which implies inventing, often a story or plan).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but leans slightly towards formal or literary use. It's fine in everyday speech, especially when describing memories or feelings.
Typically no. It is used for intangible things like images, memories, feelings, or spirits. Using it for physical objects is metaphorical or poetic (e.g., 'conjure up a meal' implies creating it as if by magic).
'Remember' is neutral. 'Conjure up' implies a more active, vivid, or effortful process of bringing something to mind, often with imagination involved.
No, the pronunciation of 'conjure' remains the same whether used alone or in the phrasal verb. The first syllable is stressed.
To bring something to mind, especially an image, memory, or feeling, often vividly or with effort.
Conjure up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌn.dʒər ʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.dʒɚ ʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “conjure up images of”
- “conjure up the past”
- “conjure up out of thin air”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAGICIAN (conjurer) who makes a rabbit APPEAR (up) from a hat. Similarly, you 'conjure up' a memory, making it appear in your mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS SUMMONING / MEMORY IS MAGIC.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'conjure up' correctly?