witch
noun·verbwitch definition & meaning
- a female sorcerer or magician
- an ugly evil-looking old woman
- cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
- a believer in Wicca
- a being (usually female) imagined to have special powers derived from the devil
Examples of witch in a sentence
As a noun
- The witch brewed a mysterious potion
- Legends spoke of a powerful witch in the forest
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.
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