witching: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Poetic, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “witching” mean?
The act of performing magic or casting spells.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of performing magic or casting spells; pertaining to witchcraft.
Relating to the time, atmosphere, or activities associated with witches or witchcraft; metaphorically, can refer to an enchanting, eerie, or mystical influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties primarily use it in the set phrase 'the witching hour'.
Connotations
Evokes folklore, superstition, Gothic literature, and Shakespearean allusion (Hamlet).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “witching” in a Sentence
[be] witching[go] witchingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “witching” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old tales spoke of crones witching in the forest glades.
- They accused her of witching the cattle to sicken.
American English
- In the story, the charlatan was just witching for coins.
- She read from the grimoire, witching a protection spell.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literature, folklore, and history studies.
Everyday
Rare, except in the phrase 'the witching hour'.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “witching”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “witching”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “witching”
- Using 'witching' as a standard adjective for a person (use 'witchy' instead). Confusing 'bewitching' (charming) with 'witching' (performing magic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word mostly found in literary, historical, or folklore contexts.
It functions as an adjective modifying 'hour'.
Yes, but it is archaic. It means 'to practice witchcraft' or 'to cast a spell'.
'Witching' relates directly to the act of witchcraft. 'Bewitching' means enchanting or charming, often in a metaphorical sense, and is more common.
The act of performing magic or casting spells.
Witching is usually literary, poetic, archaic in register.
Witching: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɪtʃ.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɪtʃ.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the witching hour (midnight)”
- “witching time of night”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'WITCH' + 'ING' = a witch ING a spell.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SUPERNATURAL ('the witching hour'), MAGIC IS AN ACTION ('she was witching').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern use of the word 'witching'?