necromancer
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of necromancer
First recorded in 1540–50; equivalent to necromanc(y) ( def. ) + -er 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Necromancer is a fancy word for a magician. A necromancer might mix up a love potion or cast a spell on your mortal enemy. You can use the noun necromancer when you talk about a sorcerer of any kind, but it most often refers to someone who can communicate with the dead. Your cousin who has good luck contacting spirits through her Ouija board might be an aspiring necromancer. For many people, the word has a dark, scary connotation, or a connection with black magic. The Greek word at the root of necromancer is nekromanteia, which joins nekros , "dead body," with manteia, "divination."
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.
But it was the ongoing appearances of Haley Joel Osment as Topher and Benedict Wong as Wallace the necromancer that were among my favorites.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024
In letters written to Mr Brookes, Christopher accuses him of being a "detrimental necromancer" and says the coronial process is illegal as "you can't be dead on paper".
From BBC • Oct. 29, 2024
So Nandor reverses his vampirism by staking Derek, who Laszlo pays the local necromancer to revive as a zombie.
From Salon • Sep. 1, 2023
This allegorical war, along with an impaired officer and a junior necromancer, are of the world of “On Sugarland,” a beautifully produced play that struggles to follow through on its ambitions.
From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2022
“Music!” concluded the necromancer in ecstasy, unable to make the smallest beginnings of an imitation “Hallo,” said Kay, opening the door of the afternoon school room.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
