hey presto

interjection

(ˈ)hā-ˈpre-(ˌ)stō How to pronounce hey presto (audio)
British
: suddenly as if by magic

Examples of hey presto in a Sentence

A wave of the hand and, hey presto, it's gone!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the chaos, Joe slips Simon's ear into Dawn's bag, and hey presto, framing accomplished! — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2023 The production’s finest, most perfectly farcical moment ensues—a bit of purely theatrical silliness—and hey presto! — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hey presto was in 1732

Rhymes for hey presto

See All Rhymes for hey presto

Browse Nearby Words

Heymans
hey presto
hey rube
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hey presto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hey%20presto. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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