verb
exorcise
EHK-saw-syz
Exorcise (verb) means to drive out an evil spirit from a person or place, usually through ritual or prayer. Example: “The priest was called to exorcise the old house.”
verb
1
To drive out an evil spirit from a person or place, usually through ritual or prayer.
"The priest attempted to exorcise the evil spirit from the house."
"The priest was called to exorcise the old house."
"The ritual was performed to exorcise the demons from the village."
"They hired a specialist to exorcise the haunted object."
2
To get rid of something troubling, like a painful memory, once and for all.
"Writing the memoir helped her exorcise the ghosts of her childhood."
How to use exorcise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo force out an evil spirit, or figuratively to finally get rid of something painful from the past.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "exercise" (physical activity) — they sound similar but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
exorcise a demon
exorcise the ghosts of the past
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- exorcises
- Past tense
- exorcised
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The priest was called to _____ the old house.
Etymology
From Greek exorkizein, "to bind by oath" or "banish a spirit," from ex- ("out") plus horkos ("oath").
Synonyms
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exorcize
Rhymes for exorcise
See all rhymes for exorcise →Frequently asked questions
What does “exorcise” mean?
The word “exorcise” means to drive out an evil spirit from a person or place, usually through ritual or prayer. In plain terms, to force out an evil spirit, or figuratively to finally get rid of something painful from the past.
How do you pronounce “exorcise”?
“Exorcise” is pronounced EHK-saw-syz (/ˈɛk.sɔɹˌsaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “exorcise” in a sentence?
Here is “exorcise” used in a sentence: “The priest was called to exorcise the old house.”
What part of speech is “exorcise”?
“Exorcise” is a verb.
Where does the word “exorcise” come from?
The word “exorcise” comes from Greek. From Greek exorkizein, "to bind by oath" or "banish a spirit," from ex- ("out") plus horkos ("oath").
How many meanings does “exorcise” have?
“Exorcise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to drive out an evil spirit from a person or place, usually through ritual or prayer.
