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

The difference between a real deadline, imposed for legitimate reasons from without, and a fake one, conjured from within, is like the difference between eating brunch and seeing it on Instagram. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

For many of us, that word conjures a specific archetype—someone with a good career, a six-figure salary, and a LinkedIn profile that reads like a highlight reel of promotions. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026

The scene plays out as if the actors are politely averting their eyes while performing, without conjuring the deep moral revulsion Wolfe and LaChiusa might’ve intended. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026

The project imagines a Joseon princess whose songs conjure spontaneous wonderlands, before a moonlit portal transports her to a mysterious palace of history’s greatest artists. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Mar. 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-