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

But one look at the film is enough to dispel all notions of Svengali.

From The Daily Beast

Well, he was no Svengali, no alchemist and, obviously, they would have happened without him.

From The Daily Beast

Like One Direction, The Shirelles were groomed by an industry Svengali.

From The Daily Beast

Just after Presley's death on August 16, 1977, his Svengali-like manager, Col. Tom Parker, was asked for a comment.

From The Daily Beast

Clarke was terrible when he said it—he is a regular Svengali, I believe, and the mother is completely dominated by him.

From Project Gutenberg

Frohman was curiously fascinated by "Bengali," as he insisted upon calling Svengali.

From Project Gutenberg

That the story of Svengali and of Trilby's voice is a good story only a duffer would deny.

From Project Gutenberg

"It is called the 'Rosemonde' of Schubert, matemoiselle," replied Svengali.

From Project Gutenberg

Nobody knew exactly how Svengali lived, and very few knew where (or why).

From Project Gutenberg