French word

sorcellerie

Pronunciation

IPA/sɔʁsɛləʁi/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmagic

Example

Elle pratique la sorcellerie.

She practices magic.

Illustration for sorcellerie (magic)

More examples

Beaucoup de gens racontent des histoires de sorcellerie.

Many people tell stories about witchcraft.

Core concept

A sphere of spells, ritual acts, and magical objects that claims to alter the natural world.

Common phrases

  • croire à la sorcellerie

    believe in witchcraft

  • des histoires de sorcellerie

    stories about witchcraft

Similar words

magie: An act or phenomenon that produces unusual effects through mysterious powers.
rituel: A formal ceremony carried out repeatedly in a set sequence.

Definition in French

Désigne des pratiques supposées provoquer des phénomènes surnaturels par des rites, des formules ou des objets, souvent associées à la figure du sorcier ou de la sorcière.

Word origin

Sorcellerie is derived from sorcier by means of the suffix -erie, which forms nouns for activities or associated domains.

Usage tips

  • In modern French, sorcellerie often carries serious or accusatory overtones rather than sounding like a neutral word for entertainment magic.

Other meanings

  • sorcerynoun
  • black magicnoun

Related words

  • sorciersorcerernoun
  • sorcièrewitchnoun

Word lists with this word