verb
Uncommon
hex
HEHKS
Hex (verb) means to cast a spell on someone, especially a harmful or evil one; to bewitch. Example: “The old woman claimed she could hex anyone who crossed her.”
verb
1
To cast a spell on someone, especially a harmful or evil one; to bewitch.
"The old woman claimed she could hex anyone who crossed her."
"In the story, the witch hexes the prince and turns him into a frog."
noun
1
An evil spell or curse.
"They believed the run of bad luck was caused by a hex."
"He joked that his car was under some kind of hex."
2
A hexagon-shaped space on a board game, used in strategy and wargaming.
"Each unit can move up to three hexes per turn."
How to use hex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo put a curse on someone or something — or the curse itself.
Memory tip
Mostly used loosely or jokingly today, as in "hex" for a run of bad luck, rather than in serious talk of witchcraft.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
put a hex on
under a hex
hex sign
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Word forms
- Plural
- hexes
- Third person singular
- hexes
- Past tense
- hexed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old woman claimed she could _____ anyone who crossed her.
Etymology
From Pennsylvania German "hexe" (to practise witchcraft), borrowed from German "hexen," related to "Hexe" (witch). It shares a root with the English word "hag."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “hex” mean?
The word “hex” means to cast a spell on someone, especially a harmful or evil one; to bewitch. In plain terms, to put a curse on someone or something — or the curse itself.
How do you pronounce “hex”?
“Hex” is pronounced HEHKS (/ˈhɛks/ in IPA).
How do you use “hex” in a sentence?
Here is “hex” used in a sentence: “The old woman claimed she could hex anyone who crossed her.”
What part of speech is “hex”?
Depending on how it is used, “hex” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “hex” come from?
The word “hex” comes from German. From Pennsylvania German "hexe" (to practise witchcraft), borrowed from German "hexen," related to "Hexe" (witch). It shares a root with the English word "hag.".
Is “hex” a common word?
“Hex” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hex” have?
“Hex” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cast a spell on someone, especially a harmful or evil one; to bewitch.
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