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conjure up

B2 neutral separable transitive

To create a vivid image or feeling in the mind, or to produce something as if by magic.

In plain English

To make a picture or feeling appear in your mind, almost like magic.

What does "conjure up" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To create or produce a vivid image, memory, or feeling in the mind.

"The smell of fresh bread conjures up memories of my grandmother's kitchen."

It conjured up images of the sort of society I'd like to see.

— Nelson Mandela, 'Long Walk to Freedom', 1994
separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To make something appear or be produced as if by magic, often quickly or unexpectedly.

"She somehow conjured up a three-course meal from almost nothing in the fridge."

separable
3 B2 neutral

In magic or supernatural contexts: to summon a spirit or entity by speaking an incantation.

"The wizard conjured up a spirit from the depths of the underworld."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To summon a spirit or object through magical incantation.

Actually means

To make a picture or feeling appear in your mind, almost like magic.

Usage tip

Used both literally (of a magician producing something) and very commonly in a figurative sense (words or music that conjure up memories or images). The figurative sense is more frequent. Common in literary and descriptive contexts.

Words that pair with "conjure up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

image memory picture vision feeling atmosphere

How to conjugate "conjure up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
conjure up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
conjures up
he/she/it
Past simple
conjured up
yesterday
Past participle
conjured up
have + pp
-ing form
conjuring up
continuous

Hear "conjure up" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "conjure up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

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