noun

Hogwarts

HOG-wawts

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Hogwarts (noun) means the fictional boarding school for young witches and wizards in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels. Example: “In the books, first-years are sorted into one of four houses on their first night at Hogwarts.”

noun

The fictional boarding school for young witches and wizards in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels.

"In the books, first-years are sorted into one of four houses on their first night at Hogwarts."

Informal: any institution seen as strange, eccentric, or almost magical compared to ordinary places.

"Colleagues joked that the quirky research lab felt like a real-world Hogwarts."

How to use Hogwarts

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe magic school from the Harry Potter series — now used loosely for any place that feels wonderfully unusual.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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In the books, first-years are sorted into one of four houses on their first night at _____.

Etymology

Invented by J. K. Rowling for her 1997 novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. She has suggested the name may have been influenced, consciously or not, by a plant called "hogwort" she once saw at Kew Gardens; within the story itself, fans often read it as a playful blend of "hog" and "warts."

· First attested 1997

Class of 1997 Hogwarts joined the language around 1997.

Wiggins

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Hogwarts” mean?

The word “Hogwarts” means the fictional boarding school for young witches and wizards in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels. In plain terms, the magic school from the Harry Potter series — now used loosely for any place that feels wonderfully unusual.

How do you pronounce “Hogwarts”?

“Hogwarts” is pronounced HOG-wawts (/ˈhɔɡ.wɔɹts/ in IPA).

How do you use “Hogwarts” in a sentence?

Here is “Hogwarts” used in a sentence: “In the books, first-years are sorted into one of four houses on their first night at Hogwarts.”

What part of speech is “Hogwarts”?

“Hogwarts” is a noun.

Where does the word “Hogwarts” come from?

The word “Hogwarts” dates back to around 1997.

How many meanings does “Hogwarts” have?

“Hogwarts” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the fictional boarding school for young witches and wizards in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels.