necromancer

American  

[nek-ruh-man-ser] / ˈnɛk rəˌmæn sər /

noun

1. a person who uses witchcraft or sorcery, especially to reanimate dead people or to foretell the future by communicating with them.

   In the story, the boy is killed by a serial killer and then revived as a zombie by a necromancer.

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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

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

So Nandor reverses his vampirism by staking Derek, who Laszlo pays the local necromancer to revive as a zombie.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2023

The fantasy game gives players five character classes - barbarian, rogue, sorcerer, necromancer, and druid - each with different abilities.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2023

He was a mage — but not as cool as the necromancer Dorian or the enchantress Vivienne — and an elf, though also not as cool as the archer Sera.

From The Verge • Jun. 2, 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

Related Words

• charmer
• genius
• virtuoso
• witch
• wizard