# sorcery

/ˈsɔɹsɝi/ (US) · /sˈɔːsəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sorcery
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. magical power

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

the use of magic or special powers to influence people or events.

For teachers: the use of supernatural power, typically involving spells or rituals to influence the natural world.

- In the old stories, the wizard used sorcery to protect the hidden kingdom.
- The epic poem describes a world where sorcery is a forbidden art, practiced only by those willing to risk their souls for power.

Usage: Often used in fantasy literature or historical contexts rather than modern daily life.

### 2. dark magic

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

a type of magic that is considered evil or dangerous.

For teachers: specifically refers to black magic or the occult, often implying a malevolent intent.

- The villagers feared the old ruins, believing they were still haunted by ancient sorcery.
- The inquisitor claimed that the drought was not a natural disaster but the result of dark sorcery performed by the cult.

Usage: Frequently carries a negative or sinister connotation compared to the neutral term 'magic'.

## Examples

- The old legends are full of tales about dark sorcery.
- In the fantasy novel, the protagonist must learn to control her sorcery before it consumes her strength.
- The villagers attributed the sudden, inexplicable blight on their crops to the sorcery of the hermit living in the hills, though modern science would suggest a fungal infection.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.