noun

warlock

WAW-lok

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Warlock (noun) means a man who practises magic; often treated as the male counterpart of a witch. Example: “In the story, an ancient warlock cursed the village well.”

noun

A man who practises magic; often treated as the male counterpart of a witch.

"It was the day of warlocks and apparitions, now happily driven out by the zeal of the General Assembly." — John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide (1902)

"In the story, an ancient warlock cursed the village well."

"The game lets you play as a warlock who summons demons to fight for you."

How to use warlock

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA male sorcerer or magic-user, often cast as sinister in folklore and fantasy fiction.

Common mistake

Not simply a male "witch" in a neutral sense — historically the word carried the connotation of treachery or a broken pact.

Easily confused with

wizard → witch → sorcerer →

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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”.

Word forms

Plural: warlocks

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

In the story, an ancient _____ cursed the village well.

Etymology

From Old English wǣrloga, literally "oath-breaker" or "traitor" — from wǣr ("pledge, covenant") and a word related to "lie." It came to mean a male sorcerer through the old belief that such men had broken their faith with God.

Origin: Old English

Frequently asked questions

What does “warlock” mean?

The word “warlock” means a man who practises magic; often treated as the male counterpart of a witch. In plain terms, a male sorcerer or magic-user, often cast as sinister in folklore and fantasy fiction.

How do you pronounce “warlock”?

“Warlock” is pronounced WAW-lok (/ˈwɔɹ.lɑk/ in IPA).

How do you use “warlock” in a sentence?

Here is “warlock” used in a sentence: “In the story, an ancient warlock cursed the village well.”

What part of speech is “warlock”?

“Warlock” is a noun.

Where does the word “warlock” come from?

The word “warlock” comes from Old English.