# witch

/ˈwɪtʃ/ (US) · /wˈɪtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/witch
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. magical person

noun · CEFR A2

a person, usually a woman, who uses magic or spells.

For teachers: a person, typically female, credited with supernatural powers or the practice of sorcery.

- The children dressed up as a witch and a wizard for the party.
- Folklore often depicts the witch as a solitary figure living on the fringes of society, possessing herbal knowledge that neighbors both feared and sought.

### 2. unpleasant woman

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

an unkind or mean name for a woman you do not like.

For teachers: a derogatory figurative label for an unpleasant, cruel, or ill-tempered woman.

- My old boss was a total witch who never let anyone take a break.
- The tabloid press unfairly characterized the actress as a witch after she refused to answer personal questions during the interview.

### 3. modern pagan

noun · CEFR B2

a person who follows a modern religion like Wicca that respects nature and uses rituals.

For teachers: a practitioner of Wicca or a related neopagan religion, often emphasizing a connection to the natural world.

- She identifies as a witch and celebrates the changing of the seasons.
- Modern witches often distinguish their spiritual practices from the stereotypical portrayals found in horror films and fairy tales.

### 4. to find water

verb · CEFR C2 · American English · Dialect

to use a special stick to try to find water underground.

For teachers: to search for underground water or minerals using a dowsing rod.

- The farmer tried to witch for water before digging the new well.
- Despite the lack of scientific evidence, some rural communities still hire specialists to witch for water when a new borehole is required.

### 5. to cast a spell

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to use magic on someone or something.

For teachers: to influence or affect by or as if by witchcraft.

- The old stories say she could witch the cattle so they gave no milk.
- In the ballad, the mysterious lady attempted to witch the knight into forgetting his home and family.

## Examples

- The children dressed as a witch for the party.
- In many classic fairy tales, the hero must outsmart a clever witch to find the way home.
- Historical accounts of the trials reveal how the label of witch was often weaponized against women who lived outside the strict social and religious norms of their communities.

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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.