This is a complete list of the spells and charms that appear in the Harry Potter books.


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Barked: Sun Jul 16, '06 6:32pm PST 

Causes a jet of water to come from the end of the caster's wand. The speed of the jet is controllable: Harry used it to refill a small goblet in the Horcrux cave, whilst a short while later, he and Hagrid used it to douse the flames on Hagrid's Hut when it was on fire.


From Hawaiian â€œAlohaâ€? which means â€œhello/farewellâ€? and Latin â€œmoraâ€? which means â€œobstacleâ€?. This spell is used to open a locked door or window. While it will not unlock all magically sealed doors, it works well against "Colloportus."


Greek for "breathe". Clears the airways of the person who the spell is cast upon, allowing them to breathe properly. Horace Slughorn cast this on Marcus Belby when he accidentally swallowed a large mouthful of pheasant.

Anti-Cheating Spell

A spell that teachers at Hogwarts use on quills or exams to prevent cheating.

Anti-Disapparation Jinx

When cast on a person, it prevents them from Disapparating. Dumbledore used this jinx to bind the Death Eaters in the Death Chamber at the Ministry of Magic.

Anti-Intruder Jinx

Repels intruders. These were cast on the Hogwarts walls for the 1996-97 school year to protect the students following the return of Voldemort.


â€œAppareoâ€? is Latin for â€œappearâ€? or "to become visible". Used to reveal invisible ink.


â€œAppareoâ€? is Latin for â€œto become visibleâ€?. This spell allows the spell caster to appear instantly in a given place. It is used in conjunction with Disapparate. The caster must Disapparate from one location in order to Apparate in another.

Avada Kedavra

A corruption of "abracadabra" which was used as a Healing Spell to drive disease from the patient's body in the Middle Ages. Its likely source is either the Arabic "abra kadabra" (may the things be destroyed), or the Aramaic "abhadda kedhabhra" (disappear with these words).

The Killing Curse. It requires a strong bit of magic behind it; the incantation alone is not enough for the spell to work. When cast effectively, Avada Kedavra kills instantaneously, producing a blinding flash of green light but leaving no mark on the victim's body. There is no way to block or counter the Killing Curse, and the only people ever to survive it are Harry Potter and Tom Riddle. Avada Kedavra is one of the three Unforgivable Curses and its use against another human being is punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban.


Latin for â€œbirdâ€?. Conjures a flock of birds.

Backfiring Jinx

Effect unknown, but the casting of such a jinx in Elephant and Castle (a district of London) was serious enough to require the Magical Law Enforcement Squad to be called out.

Babbling Curse

Causes the victim to babble nonsense. Lockhart once cured someone of this curse on his travels. Or not.

Banishing Charm

The opposite of Accio, causes an object to fly away from the caster.

Bat-Bogey Hex

Maybe the effects of this are best left to the imagination. Causes bogies to grow, become bat-like, and attack the victim. Ginny casts this spell on Draco Malfoy in Order of the Phoenix.

Blasting Charm

A charm used to good effect by Alberta Toothill in the 1430 All-England Duelling Competition, where she used it to defeat the favourite, Samson Wiblin.

Bubblehead Charm

Used to create a bubble of air around the casterâ€™s head. Often used to allow the caster to breathe underwater.

Cheering Charm

Not much is known about these, but itâ€™s safe to assume that they make people happy.


From the Latin "colligere," meaning "bind together" and "portus," meaning door. This spell is used to magically seal doors, but is not particularly effective. It can easy be countered with Alohomora, which will open any door sealed with Colloportus.

Colour-Change Charm

Causes an object to change colour. This spell also works on organic matter, as Harry was meant to cast it on a rat during his Charms OWL in order to turn it orange. Unfortunately he got the incantation mixed up with the Growth Charm and it ended up the size of a badger before he could stop it.

Colour Flash Charm

Possibly a variant of the Colour-Change Charm, this is used to make the item it is cast on flash different colours. It was used by Hermione on a â€œPotter for Presidentâ€? banner the Gryffindors had made for Harryâ€™s first Quidditch match in his first year to make it more eye-catching.

Concealment Charm

Used to conceal something so that it cannot be seen.

Confundus Charm

â€œConfundoâ€? is Latin for â€œto confuseâ€?. Used to confuse an object or person, to make them believe what the spell caster wants them to.

Conjunctivitis Curse

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane that lines the surface of the eyelid and the exposed surface of the eyeball), and is taken from the Latin "conjunctus," meaning "joined together."

This curse is aimed at the eyes of the victim and causes the eyelids to crust together so that the victim cannot see. In addition to loss of sight, it seems to cause pain to the victim as well.

Conjuring Spells

These are a type of spells taught in NEWT-level Transfiguration classes. They are not strictly Transfiguration-based, however, in that they are used to conjure items into existence from nowhere. These spells are used repeatedly by skilled wizards in the books, for example where Dumbledore conjures mead for himself and the Dursleys when he goes to pick Harry up before Harryâ€™s 6th year, where Flitwick is conjuring Christmas decorations from his wand to decorate the school, and where Mr Ollivander creates smoke rings and a fountain of wine during the Weighing of the Wands.


Latin for â€œto tortureâ€?.

The Cruciatus Curse. This inflicts severe physical pain on whomever it is cast upon. To effectively use the Cruciatus Curse, the witch or wizard casting the spell must have the genuine desire to cause pain. When effectively used, the curse is excruciating and has the ability to drive victims insane. As such, it is one of the three Unforgivable Curses. The use of this spell against another human being is punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban.

Curse Alleviation Charm

When Katie Bell was injured by the cursed necklace from Malfoy, Professor Snape did everything that he could to prevent a rapid spread of the curse. The magic he performed is unknown, and so it is included here simply as a Curse Alleviation Charm.

Curse of the Bogies

Professor Quirrell told his class about this curse, although its exact effect is unknown. Something to do with bogies, no doubt.

Cushioning Charm

Creates an invisible cushioned area. It is primarily used in broomstick manufacture to make the brooms more comfortable to sit on.

Daydream Charm

This gives the spell caster a highly-realistic 30 minute daydream, according to its inventors Fred and George Weasley. Daydream Charms can be found for sale in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.


â€œDeleteâ€? means â€œto eraseâ€?. Used to erase spell images conjured by Priori Incantem.


From the Latin "dens," meaning "tooth," and "augeo," meaning "increase, enlarge."

Enlarges the teeth of the victim.


Latin for â€œto splitâ€?. A spell that rips an object in half or causes things to separate. It is likely to be the same spell as the Severing Charm. See also "Severing Charm".


From the Latin "disparitio" meaning "disappearance," or "dispareo" meaning "to vanish."

This spell allows the caster to disappear instantly from any given place with a soft popping sound, or alternatively a loud cracking noise. The sound made seems to be different from one spell caster to the next. It is used in conjunction with Apparate. The caster must Disapparate from one location before he or she can Apparate in another.


Literal meaning is to remove an illusion. Generally used to indicate unhappiness with a situation.

Spell used to hide something. Typically used to hide magical objects and occurrences from Muggles.


This is possibly a path-revealing spell. It was used to open a secret passage to Hogsmeade.

Drought Charm

Dries up a limited amount of water. Harry decided he probably wouldn't be able to use it to dry up the entire Hogwarts lake.


â€œEngorgeâ€? means â€œto fill to excessâ€?.

The Engorgement Charm. Causes the target to enlarge. See also "Enlargement Charm".

Enlargement Charm

Similar to an Engorgement Charm (Engorgio), this causes an object to swell in size. The Weasley twins put an Enlargement Charm on a copy of The Quibbler which contained Harry's interview, so it may be that the Engorgement Charm works only on organic matter (ie animal or vegetable), whilst the Enlargement Charm works on other objects.



Entrail-Expelling Curse

Invented by Urquhart Rackharrow, 1612-1697. Effect unknown, but presumably involves expelling entrails.

Entrancing Enchantment

Entrances the person the spell is cast upon.


From the Greek "episkeyi" meaning "repair". A healing spell. Tonks used to it repair Harry's nose when it was broken by Malfoy on the Hogwarts Express. It may also work on bones, and may therefore have been the spell Lockhart was attempting to cast when he accidentally removed all the bones from Harry's arm.


Latin for â€œto vanishâ€?.

This spell is used to make an object vanish. It is assumed this spell works only on objects, and not on people. Note that this spell actually makes the object disappear rather than just turn invisible. An Invisibility Spell is required to have this effect. Evanesco is also known as the Vanishing Spell.

Expecto Patronum

"Patronus" is Latin for "protector".

The Patronus Charm. When literally translated, the phrase "Expecto Patronum" means, "I expect a guardian." The Patronus Charm is highly advanced magic, beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level. It is used to ward off both dementors and Lethifolds and probably works against other creatures as well. To conjure a Patronus, the spell caster must speak the incantation ("Expecto Patronum") while concentrating hard on an extremely happy thought or memory. When the charm is cast successfully, the spell caster's wand emits a Patronus; a stream of silvery vapor that takes on the shape of an animal. The type of animal the Patronus assumes depends entirely upon the witch or wizard who conjures it, reflecting certain traits of the caster's personality. The Patronus is the embodiment of the caster's happy memories and acts as a shield, protecting the witch or wizard.


Latin for â€œto expel a weaponâ€?.

This spell is used to disarm an opponent. Although a simple spell, it causes the victim's wand to fly out of his or her hand, depriving its victim of his or her primary weapon and means of defense. When used by many people on a single target in tandem, the spell is powerful enough to knock the target off of his or her feet, as was demonstrated on Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Extinguishing Spell

Puts out fires. This was used by the keepers of the dragons used in the Triwizard Tournament.

Featherweight Charm

This charm is used to make something lightweight so that it can be carried more easily.


Conjures a splint and bandages.

Fidelius Charm

â€œFidelisâ€? is Latin for â€œfaithful friendsâ€?.



From the Latin â€œfinis,â€? meaning â€œend.â€? Similarly to Finite Incantatem, this removes spell effects. It may be that Finite stops a single spell whilst Finite Incantatem stops all current spells. Remus Lupin cast this spell on Neville Longbottom in the Department of Mysteries to remove the effects of a Tarantallegra curse.

Finite Incantatem

From the Latin "finis," meaning "end." Removes the effects of any spells currently cast.

Fire Charm

When Harry and Dumbledore were attacked by Inferi in the Horcrux cave, Dumbledore created a ring of crimson and gold fire to protect them. This may be simple a Dumbledore-powered version of Flagrate or Incendio, or it may be a separate fire creation charm.


â€œFlagrantiaâ€? is Latin for â€œburningâ€?. Makes the spell-caster able to draw lines of fire with their wand.

Flame Freezing Charm

Charm used by Medieval witches to remove the effects of the fire when they were burned at the stake. It is a good idea at this point to scream a bit and pretend to be burning.

Flying Charm

Different to Wingardium Leviosa, which merely makes objects float in the air, the Flying Charm allows them to be maneuvered by the user and turns them into genuinely controllable flying items. The Flying Charm is used on broomsticks (as confirmed by Draco Malfoy when he was criticising Ron's broom in 1995 - "why would anyone put a Flying Charm on a mouldy old log like that?" being the words he chose), and also presumably Flying Carpets. It is clear that Flying Charms can be cast only on objects rather than animals or people, as it is well known that no spell yet exists that allows a wizard to fly unaided.

Freezing Charm

Used by Hermione to immobilise Cornish Pixies in Professor Lockhart's first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson, following Lockhart's pathetic attempt to deal with them himself. Freezing Charms are also effective in disabling Muggle burglar alarms.

Fur Charm

When Ginny was upset about the spate of Petrifications at school during her first year, Fred and George embarked on an ill-conceived campaign to cheer her up. One thing that they did was to cover themselves in fur and jump out at her from behind statues. Far from cheering her up, however, it merely caused her to have nightmares.


Makes the victim's body break out in boils. When used in conjunction with the Jelly-Legs Jinx it causes tentacles to sprout all over the victim's face.

Gripping Charm

Allows a person to grip an object more effectively. This was invented in 1875 and is primarily used in Quidditch to allow the Chasers to handle the Quaffle one-handed whilst still keeping a grip on their brooms.

Growth Charm

Similar to the Enlargement Charm and the Engorgement Charm, this spell causes the target to increase in size. The precise differences between these three enchantments are unknown. Harry got confused during his Charms OWL and cast a Growth Charm on a rat he was meant to be turning orange. It had grown to the size of a badger before he could stop it.

Hair Growth Jinx

A spell cast on Alicia Spinnet by Miles Bletchley before the Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match in 1995. It caused her eyebrows to grow so fast they obscured her vision.

Hair Loss Curse

Makes the victim lose their hair. Covered by Professor Vindictus Viridian in his book on curses and counter-curses.

Hair-Thickening Charm

Causes hair to thicken. During the build-up to the Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match in 1995, Alicia Spinnet was hit from behind by a curse from Miles Bletchley that caused her eyebrows to grow so fast they obscured her vision. Professor Snape refused to believe this and stated that she must have attempted a Hair-Thickening Charm on herself.

Hex Deflection

It is unclear whether this is a spell or a branch of magic (such as Occlumency). Either way, it is used to block or deflect magic cast as you.

Hives Hex

Causes the victims face to erupt in hives. Hives are raised lumps on the skin, usually caused by an allergic reaction.

Homorphus Charm

From "Homo" meaning "man" and "morphus" meaning "transform". Used to force a werewolf to revert to human form. Lockhart claimed to have used this against the Wagga Wagga Werewolf. He didn't, of course, but it is likely that it is a real spell.

Horcrux Creation Spell

After committing the act of murder, the Horcrux Creation Spell is used to encase the torn portion of the killer's soul into an object or creature. This is exceptionally advanced and evil magic, and even Horace Slughorn did not know any details at all of this spell when the young Tom Riddle asked him about it.

Horn Tongue Hex

Turns the tongue to horn. Harry found this hex in a book when he was trying to work out how to defeat a dragon in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. He decided not to use it as it would just give the dragon an extra weapon.

Horton-Keitch Braking Charm

Patented by Basil Horton and Randolph Keitch, this charm aids broomsticks in slowing down in a controlled manner. It is used on broomsticks made by the Comet company.

Hot Air Charm

Causes hot air to stream out of the end of the caster's wand. This is similar to Relashio, but in the case of the Hot Air Charm, no sparks are released. A complicated wand movement is required to cast this spell but no incantation. Hermione used it to dry her robes in winter 1995, and also to create a path through the snow.

Hover Charm

Makes an item hover in the air. Famously used by Dobby on Aunt Petuniaâ€™s pudding.

Hurling Hex

Professor Flitwick thought that Harry's new Firebolt broomstick - a gift from Sirius Black - might be jinxed with this hex. It is likely that it causes the rider to be thrown off the broomstick.


"Immobilise" means to prevent moving.

Stops an object moving. The name of this spell comes from the films rather than the books but is included here as it is very likely to be the "clever Freezing Charm" used by Hermione to immobilise Cornish Pixies in Professor Lockhart's first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson. See also "Freezing Charm".


â€œImpedimentumâ€? is Latin for â€œa hindranceâ€?. Use to stop or slow down a person or creature (as opposed to an object).



Imperturbable Charm

Impeturbable means â€œnot able to be disturbedâ€?. Creates a barrier which sounds, objects and people cannot cross.


Impervious means â€œincapable of being affectedâ€?. Used to make an object resistant to water.

Incantation Free Magic

Whilst the vast majority of spells have a notional verbal component, any spell can in fact be cast without speaking by a sufficiently talented wizard. It appears that it is the power of the mind and the body which causes the spell to take effect, and the incantation is merely a vehicle used to help create the necessary mental and physical conditions for the magic to be successful. The more advanced the magic, the more difficult it is to cast without its verbal component, and even Voldemort can be found using the incantation for spells such as Avada Kedavra. Non-verbal magic is taught in the sixth year and above at Hogwarts.


â€œIncarcerateâ€? means to shut in. Summons ropes which then bind the victim.


â€œIncendoâ€? is Latin for â€œset fire toâ€?. Creates fire.

Intruder Charm

The wizarding equivalent of a burglar alarm. It makes an audible signal when the area covered by the charm is entered by somebody or something.

Invisibility Spell

Fred and George Weasley used this spell to good effect in their range of Headless Hats. Hermione was particularly impressed that theyâ€™d managed to make the range of invisibility go beyond the charmed object. This spell is different to Evanesco in that Evanesco actually causes the item to cease to exist rather than simply making it invisible.

Inanimatus Conjurus

From the Latin â€œinanimusâ€?, meaning â€œinanimateâ€?, and the word â€œconjurusâ€?, a derivative of â€œconjureâ€?.

A spell mentioned in passing as homework in Harryâ€™s fifth year. The effect is unknown, but presumably involves conjuring inanimate objects. Professor McGonagall said at another point that Conjuring Spells were NEWT level magic, and so this is probably a simplified version.

Instant Scalping Hex

Removes the hair from the victim â€“ instantly. Harry consulted the book "Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed" in preparation for the Triwizard tournament and found this spell but discarded it due to the fact that dragons have no hair

Latin for â€œto summonâ€?. Summoning charm, used to make objects fly straight to the spell caster.