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

Girl names for Cancer Sophia: The beloved first name Sophia has a soft, romantic vibe that suits a thoughtful Cancer. Violet: This name conjures feelings of a misty morning by the sea. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 17 June 2025

The intersection of accessibility and sports often conjures images of high-speed blade runners at the Paralympics—the elite level of competition. —Alan Schwarz, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Their proposal conjures a kind of metaversal music — an omnigenre with no real roots, which can nonetheless interact with the real world. —Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 17 June 2025

The union employees opted to go on strike in the wake of DHL’s lockout, which occurred after the parties failed to conjure up a new contract despite eight months of negotiations. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 16 June 2025

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-