conjuring: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral
Quick answer
What does “conjuring” mean?
The performance of tricks that appear to be magic, typically involving sleight of hand or illusion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The performance of tricks that appear to be magic, typically involving sleight of hand or illusion.
1. The art of performing illusions for entertainment. 2. The act of invoking spirits or calling forth something as if by magic. 3. (Figuratively) Creating something as if from nothing; producing a desired effect with skill and flair.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. The term 'magician' is more common in both varieties, with 'conjurer/conjuror' being a more traditional, specifically performance-based term.
Connotations
In both, it carries a sense of skillful, traditional, or stage-based magic, distinct from 'magic' in a fantasy or supernatural context.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English, where 'conjuror' is a standard term for a stage magician. In US English, 'magician' is overwhelmingly dominant for the performer.
Grammar
How to Use “conjuring” in a Sentence
conjuring sth (up) [from/out of sth]conjuring [spirits/images/memories]be skilled at/in conjuringVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conjuring” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He can conjure a coin from behind your ear.
- The film conjures a vivid sense of post-war London.
American English
- She conjured a rabbit out of the hat.
- The speaker conjured up images of a brighter future.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial form.)
American English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- He is a conjuring magician of some renown. (compound noun modifier)
- The conjuring act was the highlight of the variety show.
American English
- They watched a conjuring performance at the county fair.
- He bought a book on conjuring tricks.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Figuratively: 'conjuring growth from a stagnant market'.
Academic
Rare, except in historical/cultural studies of performance or occult practices.
Everyday
Common in the context of entertainment and figurative language.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of historical performance studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conjuring”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conjuring”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conjuring”
- Using 'conjuring' to mean real witchcraft. Incorrect: 'She believed in the conjuring of spells.' Correct: 'She believed in casting spells.'
- Confusing 'conjurer' with 'magician' in a fantasy context (e.g., Gandalf is a wizard, not a conjurer).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Today, they are often synonyms for a performer of magic tricks. Historically, 'conjurer' could imply summoning spirits, while 'magician' was broader. In modern usage, 'magician' is more common, and 'conjurer' suggests a traditional, skill-based stage performer.
Yes, figuratively. It is common to say something 'conjures up' an image, memory, or feeling, meaning it vividly creates or evokes it.
No, not in standard modern English. It refers to the art of illusion and trickery for entertainment. Belief in actual supernatural conjuring belongs to historical or occult contexts.
Both are correct. 'Conjurer' is slightly more common in modern English, but 'conjuror' is a standard variant, especially in British English.
The performance of tricks that appear to be magic, typically involving sleight of hand or illusion.
Conjuring is usually neutral in register.
Conjuring: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌn.dʒər.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.dʒɚ.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “conjure up an image/memory”
- “conjure something out of thin air”
- “like magic/conjuring”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONJUROR in a JAR - pulling surprises (like a rabbit) out of a confined space.
Conceptual Metaphor
CREATION IS CONJURING (He conjured a solution from nowhere). THOUGHT/MEMORY IS A SUMMONED ENTITY (The smell conjured up vivid memories).
Practice
Quiz
In its most common contemporary usage, 'conjuring' primarily refers to: