necromancy
C2Formal, Literary, Technical (occult).
Definition
Meaning
The practice of communicating with the dead, especially in order to predict the future.
Magic or divination in general; any practice perceived as dark, supernatural, or involving mysterious, hidden forces (often used figuratively).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically, the term specifically meant divination by communicating with the dead. In modern usage, it is often conflated with black magic, sorcery, or any form of witchcraft involving the dead or spirits. It carries a strong negative connotation and is frequently used metaphorically to describe manipulative or sinister practices.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Consistently negative, associated with forbidden, dark, or evil supernatural arts.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in historical/fantasy literary contexts, but overall equally low frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to practise necromancythe necromancy of [someone]necromancy involving [spirits/the dead]dabbled in necromancyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The word itself is often used figuratively: 'The CEO's financial necromancy brought the company back from the dead.'”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Figurative and pejorative: 'The accountant was accused of financial necromancy to hide the losses.'
Academic
Historical/Religious Studies: 'The paper examines medieval prohibitions against necromancy.'
Everyday
Very rare. Used for dramatic effect: 'Trying to fix this old computer feels like an act of necromancy.'
Technical
Occultism/Fantasy Literature & Gaming: 'The game's necromancer class specialises in raising undead minions.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The archaic verb is 'to necromance', but it is virtually obsolete. Modern paraphrases are used: 'to practise necromancy'.
American English
- As above. The verb form is not in standard use.
adverb
British English
- He raised the skeleton necromantically. (Extremely rare, literary)
American English
- The spirit was summoned necromantically. (Extremely rare, literary)
adjective
British English
- necromantic powers
- a necromantic ritual
American English
- necromantic arts
- a necromantic spellbook
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Necromancy is a bad magic in stories.
- In the film, the villain used necromancy to create an army of zombies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: NECRO (relating to death, as in necropolis) + MANCY (divination, as in chiromancy/palmistry). So, 'death-divination'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATING WITH THE DEAD IS A TABOO FORM OF KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION. / DEATH IS A SOURCE OF (FORBIDDEN) POWER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'некрофилия' (necrophilia). The Russian common equivalent is 'некромантия', but it's a direct borrowing, not a native word.
- The concept is more specific than just 'магия' (magic) or 'колдовство' (sorcery/witchcraft). It specifically implies the dead.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'necro*mancy' (correct: necro*mancy).
- Using it as a synonym for any magic, losing the core association with the dead.
- Incorrect pronunciation stress: /nekroMANcy/ (correct: /NEKromancy/).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the MOST accurate definition of necromancy?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A necromancer is a specific type of wizard or sorcerer who specialises in necromancy—magic involving death and the dead. All necromancers might be considered wizards, but not all wizards are necromancers.
Almost never. Its connotations are overwhelmingly negative, associated with evil, corruption, and taboo. Figurative use ('corporate necromancy') is also critical or pejorative.
No, it is not an organised religion. It is a concept and a historical practice found in various magical traditions and folklore, now primarily a trope in fantasy fiction and occultism.
Spiritualism is a modern religious movement seeking to communicate with spirits of the dead, often in a benign, religious context. Necromancy is an ancient, magical practice, typically solitary and aimed at divination or control, and is viewed as forbidden or malevolent.