conjure

verb

con·​jure

transitive sense 2 & intransitive senses

ˈkän-jər 

also

ˈkən- 

transitive sense 1

kən-ˈju̇r 

conjured; conjuring ˈkänj-riŋ 

ˈkän-jə-,

ˈkənj-,

ˈkən-jə-;

kən-ˈju̇r-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly

"I conjure you … to weigh my case well … "

—Sheridan Le Fanu

2

a

: to summon by or as if by invocation or incantation

b(1)

: to affect or effect by or as if by magic

(2)

: imagine, contrive

—often used with up

We conjure up our own metaphors for our own needs …

—R. J. Kaufmann

conjured up a clever plan to raise the money

(3)

: to bring to mind

words that conjure pleasant images

—often used with up

conjure up memories

intransitive verb

1

a

: to summon a devil or spirit by invocation or incantation

b

: to practice magical arts

… prayed and conjured, but all was useless …

—Herman Melville

2

: to use a conjurer's tricks : juggle

Phrases

conjure with

chiefly British : to treat or regard as important

Victor Hugo is a name to conjure with …

—Peter France

Synonyms

• appeal (to)
• beg
• beseech
• besiege
• entreat
• impetrate
• implore
• importune
• petition
• plead (to)
• pray
• solicit
• supplicate

Examples of conjure in a Sentence

a magician who conjures live doves from silk scarves

The students conjured a clever scheme to raise the money they needed.

Recent Examples on the Web

But there is one perennial tradition that conjures winter wonderment just as well: ice skating in the city’s Union Square. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

Watch on Deadline Full of disappointment, and with the weekend now all to themselves, they’re given a slim consolation prize… an opportunity to pitch a sequel idea early the next week, which leaves them with just days to conjure some inspiration for a career saving follow up. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024

Footage of gamers struggling to build simple structures, or watching elaborate builds conjured before their eyes, are like watching someone trapped in a cursed Minecraft that exists in purgatory, with players never able to see their efforts come together into something coherent. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Halloween may be less than a week away, but a last-minute party invitation may call for a costume to be conjured with scary speed. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French conjurer, from Latin conjurare to join in taking an oath, from com- + jurare to swear — more at jury

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing conjure

• a name to conjure with

Kids Definition

conjure

verb

con·​jure ˈkän-jər  ˈkən- 

in sense 1

kən-ˈju̇(ə)r 

conjured; conjuring

1

: to beg earnestly or solemnly : beseech

2

a

: to call forth (as a spirit or a devil) by magical words

b

: to produce as if by magic

her imagination conjured up a splendid scene

managed to conjure up something for lunch

3

: to practice magic or magical tricks

conjurer noun

or conjuror

ˈkän-jər-ər,

ˈkən-