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

see also:

conjure with

Synonyms of conjure

• beg
• petition

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

Sure, sci-fi can be bleak — there's no end to the cosmic horrors and savage alien races that game developers can conjure up — but that almost always comes as a result of humanity's success in space. —Ian Stokes, Space.com, 24 May 2026

Few artists conjure the sound of a city quite like Nyro in the early days. —Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 24 May 2026

Two months later, McCain, 22, is conjuring confidence from deep in his core. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 23 May 2026

Mixologist Giuseppe Atteo conjures up suitably fruity and herbivorous cocktails at the pale marble bar, themed for the seasons. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026

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
• 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-