conjuring

IPA/kˈʌndʒəɹɪŋ/
KK[kˈɑndʒɚɪŋ]IPA/kˈɑːndʒərɪŋ/

conjuring — noun

1. a type of entertainment in which a performer does tricks that appear to break th

1.nounB1
Definition

a type of entertainment in which a performer does tricks that appear to break the normal rules of nature, such as making objects appear, disappear, or change form

Example

The Watanabe family hired a magician to do conjuring at their daughter's wedding reception.

His conjuring act features card tricks that leave the audience completely speechless.

conjuring act / conjuring show

Common collocations
  • conjuring act
  • conjuring show
  • conjuring trick
  • conjuring performance
  • do conjuring
Synonyms
  • magic

    the general term for the performance; 'conjuring' specifically emphasises the act of making things appear or vanish

  • sleight of hand

    focuses on the manual dexterity side; 'conjuring' is broader and may include props and illusions

  • illusion

    often refers to a single trick or effect rather than the whole practice

conjuring — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Conjuring' refers specifically to the performance art of making objects appear, disappear, or change through tricks and dexterity. 'Magic' is the broader term covering both stage performances and supernatural beliefs. 'Sleight of hand' narrows the focus to manual tricks like palming coins or hiding cards, while 'conjuring' may also involve props, smoke, and audience participation. 'Illusion' typically describes a single large-scale effect (like making a person vanish) rather than the overall craft. 'Prestidigitation' is a formal, rarely used synonym for sleight of hand. In everyday conversation, a child telling you about a birthday show will say 'conjuring' or 'magic,' not 'prestidigitation.'

magic ↗sleight of handillusion ↗prestidigitation

Common collocations

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'conjuring' comes from the verb 'conjure,' which entered English through Old French 'conjurer' meaning 'to invoke' or 'to plot.' The French word came from Latin 'conjurare' — 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'jurare' meaning 'to swear.' In ancient Rome, people who 'swore together' were forming a conspiracy, so 'conjure' first meant 'to conspire.' Over time the meaning shifted: first to 'summon a spirit by a solemn oath,' then to the modern sense of performing magic tricks for entertainment. The -ing form 'conjuring' became established as a noun for the activity itself in the 1800s when stage magic grew popular.