noun
coven
KUHV-uhn
Coven (noun) means a group or gathering of witches. Example: “The novel's villain leads a secret coven of witches.”
noun
1
A group or gathering of witches.
"The novel's villain leads a secret coven of witches."
"The coven met at midnight under the full moon."
2
More loosely, any small, tight-knit group with shared interests, sometimes used with a slightly sinister or gossipy tone.
"A coven of critics gathered backstage after the show."
How to use coven
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gathering of witches, or informally, any close-knit clique.
Common pairings
a coven of witches
join a coven
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Word forms
- Plural
- covens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The novel's villain leads a secret _____ of witches.
Etymology
From Old French covent, ultimately from Latin conveniō ("to come together") — it's actually a doublet of the word "convent," which took a more religious path in meaning.
Rhymes for coven
See all rhymes for coven →Frequently asked questions
What does “coven” mean?
The word “coven” means a group or gathering of witches. In plain terms, a gathering of witches, or informally, any close-knit clique.
How do you pronounce “coven”?
“Coven” is pronounced KUHV-uhn (/ˈkʌv.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “coven” in a sentence?
Here is “coven” used in a sentence: “The novel's villain leads a secret coven of witches.”
What part of speech is “coven”?
“Coven” is a noun.
Where does the word “coven” come from?
The word “coven” comes from Latin. From Old French covent, ultimately from Latin conveniō ("to come together") — it's actually a doublet of the word "convent," which took a more religious path in meaning.
How many meanings does “coven” have?
“Coven” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group or gathering of witches.
