Svengali

[sven-gah-lee, sfen-]

noun

1. a person who completely dominates another, usually with selfish or sinister motives.

Svengali

/ svɛnˈɡɑːlɪ /

noun

1. a person who controls another's mind, usually with sinister intentions

Word History and Origins

Origin of Svengali¹

First recorded in 1940–45; after the evil hypnotist of the same name in the novel Trilby (1894) by George Du Maurier

Word History and Origins

Origin of Svengali¹

after a character in George Du Maurier's novel Trilby (1894)

Example Sentences

He called Baker a ``Svengali,’’ saying that Sementilli made the ``biggest mistake of her life’’ in becoming involved in an extramarital affair with him.

From Los Angeles Times

Sure, the movie is timely — perhaps even too obvious — but Strong’s performance as the Svengali behind Donald Trump’s rise to power is an important chronicle of how evil is forged.

From Salon

Young girl, guitar, her own songs – there's no male producer or a male Svengali who's pulling the strings.

From Salon

Additionally, they trickled out the role of gullible parents, who had outsourced the supervision of their children to Svengali coaches who were purportedly their tickets to athletic success, college scholarships and Olympic medals.

From Salon

Shinn is by no means the first entertainment industry Svengali to profit off other people’s talent and physical labor.

From Salon