witch

noun·verb

witch definition & meaning

  • a female sorcerer or magician
  • an ugly evil-looking old woman
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Examples of witch in a sentence

As a noun

  • The witch brewed a mysterious potion
  • Legends spoke of a powerful witch in the forest
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Synonyms for witch

  • enchantress
  • beldam
  • beldame
  • crone
  • hag
  • bewitch
  • enchant
  • glamour
  • hex
  • jinx
  • wiccan

Rhymes with witch

  • adjustable-pitch
  • backstitch
  • bewitch
  • bitch
  • bowditch
  • cross-stitch
  • ditch
  • enrich
  • fitch
  • flitch
  • glitch
  • hemstitch
  • hitch
  • itch
  • kitsch
  • niche
  • pitch
  • rich
  • snitch
  • stitch
  • switch
  • twitch
  • unhitch
  • whipstitch
  • witch

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Related words to witch

magic

cauldron

broomstick

spell

potion

coven

sorcery

enchantment

hex

occult

wizardry

hag

sabbat

familiar

ritual

charm

incantation

necromancy

divination

amulet

Word history

Etymology

The word "witch" originates from the Old English terms "wicca" (masculine) and "wicce" (feminine), which referred to a person practicing sorcery or magic. These terms are derived from the Proto-Germanic root "wikkjaz," meaning "necromancer" or "one who wakes the dead." The root is linked to the Proto-Indo-European "weg-," which means "to be strong" or "to be lively," suggesting a connection to life force or spiritual power.

In Middle English, the term evolved into "wicche," used for both genders, before becoming "witch" in Modern English. The masculine form "wicca" eventually fell out of use, while "wicce" transformed into the more gender-neutral "witch." The word's association with malevolent magic and sorcery grew during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, particularly during witch hunts and trials.

The term's evolution reflects cultural shifts in the perception of magic and gender roles. In contemporary times, "witch" has been reclaimed by some as a positive identifier within neo-pagan and Wiccan communities, emphasizing empowerment and spirituality rather than malevolence. The word's journey from Old English to modern usage illustrates its complex and multifaceted history.

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How many points is witch worth in Scrabble?

Total points

13

Per letter points

W4I1T1C3H4

Dictionary check

  • Offcl. Scrabble Pl. Dict. & Offcl Scrabble WordsYES
  • Collins Scrabble Words 2021YES
  • NASPA Word List 2020YES
  • Tournament Word List 2006YES
  • Words with Friends 2000YES
  • Words with Friends 1997 (Retired)YES

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