hex

hex — noun

1. a magic spell that is believed to bring bad luck, illness, or trouble to a speci

1.nounB1
Definition

a magic spell that is believed to bring bad luck, illness, or trouble to a specific person or thing.

Example

The old farmer believed a hex had been placed on his land after the storm.

collocation: placed a hex on [something]

Liam laughed off the hex, saying he did not believe in magic or witchcraft.

Common collocations
  • put a hex on
  • cast a hex
  • place a hex on
  • under a hex
  • remove a hex
  • break a hex
Synonyms
  • curse

    more general; can be a wish of harm without a magic ritual

  • spell

    broader term; includes both good and bad magic

  • jinx

    less formal; often used for minor bad luck rather than serious harm

Grammar Patterns

put a hex on + object

under a hex

a hex on + object

Usage Note

Often used in the fixed phrase 'put a hex on someone/something.' Typically found in stories about witchcraft, superstition, or folk magic rather than in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

The witch gave him a hex.
The witch put a hex on him.
The correct collocation is 'put a hex on someone,' not 'give a hex.'

hex — verb

hex — adjective

hex — abbreviation

Word family

  • hexagon
    nounB2
  • hexagonal
    adjectiveB2
  • hexadecimal
    adjectiveC1
  • hexagram
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to magic or bad luck, but they differ in seriousness and context. A 'hex' is a specific magic spell cast by someone (often a witch) to bring harm — it is deliberate and person-directed. A 'curse' is broader: it can be a magic spell, but also a general wish for harm ('curses on this house!') or even an angry swear word. A 'jinx' is much lighter and more informal — it refers to a short period of minor bad luck, often playful ('I think my car has a jinx'). A 'spell' is the broadest term of all and can be good or bad magic ('a love spell,' 'a healing spell'). When choosing: use 'hex' for a deliberate, harmful magic act; 'curse' for a more general or dramatic misfortune; 'jinx' for everyday minor bad luck; and 'spell' for any kind of magic.

hex ↗curse ↗jinxspell

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • put a hex on
  • under a hex
  • cast a hex
  • break a hex

Prepositions

  • hex on
  • hex upon

Etymology

GermanEnglishGreekEnglish

The word 'hex' has two separate origins. The magical meaning (a spell or curse) entered English in the 19th century from the German word 'Hexe' meaning 'witch,' brought to the United States by Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. The mathematical meaning (six) comes from a completely different root: the Greek word 'hex' (ἕξ), meaning 'six,' found in words like 'hexagon' and 'hexadecimal.' These two unrelated words happen to share the same spelling in modern English.