sorcerer

• sorceror (common misspelling/alternative spelling)

From Middle English sorcerere, from stem sorcer-^[1] (as in sorceresse and sorcery) + -ere, from Old French sorcer, sorcier, from Early Medieval Latin sortiārius, derived from Latin sortem (“fate, fortune”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to bind”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈsɔːsəɹə(ɹ)/
• (US) enPR: sôrʹ-sər-ər, IPA^(key): /ˈsoɹ.sɚ.ɚ/

• Audio (US):

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sorcerer (plural sorcerers)

2. (mythology, folklore, fantasy) A magician or wizard. Sometimes specifically male.

   Synonyms: magician, (Hopi culture) powaqa, (Hopi culture) two-heart, wizard

   • 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 105:

     Pope Joan, who once occupied the throne of the Vatican, was reputed to be the blackest sorcerer of them all.

   • 1965, Attila Zohar, Kings Cross Black Magic, Sydney: Horwitz Publications, page 116:

     These, it was believed, would prevent the Arch-fiend from entering the charmed ring and wreaking vengeance upon the sorcerers.

   • 1970, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 50:

     “Thou flibbertigibbet,” cried Catwezle, who had been listening, “all is clear as springwater. This Rapkyn was a sorcerer!”

   • 1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 7:

     "Well, sorcerer?" growled the Norman. "Nay, not well," replied Catweazle shivering miserably, "I have the bone-ache."

3. (figurative) A person whose skills or abilities appear almost magical.
   • 2025 May 17, David Hytner, “Crystal Palace stun Manchester City to win FA Cup amid drama and Henderson controversy”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     The goalscorer was Eberechi Eze, Palace’s sorcerer-in-chief, and it came in the 16th minute from an assist by Daniel Muñoz, who was irrepressible up and down the right.

sorcerer

1. alternative form of sorcerere