McGonagall

British

/ məˈɡɒnəɡəl /

noun

William. 1830–?1902, Scottish writer of doggerel, noted for its bathos, repetitive rhymes, poor scansion, and ludicrous effect

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Frost has been cast as Hagrid, McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall, and Essiedu will portray Severus Snape.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2025

Between “Downton” and Professor McGonagall an adoring public saw in Smith an endlessly entertaining, tippling grandmother and that endearing teacher who balanced strictness with caring.

From Salon • Oct. 1, 2024

The Oscar-winning actor, known for her roles as Violet Crawley in ‘Downton Abbey’ and no-nonsense Professor McGonagall in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, died Friday.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2024

“But mention The Great McGonagall in his hometown and reactions range from a fond chuckle to pained silence.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2022

The scream was the more terrible because he had never expected or dreamed that Professor McGonagall could make such a sound.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023