# svengali

> English word · Noun · IPA /svɛŋˈɡɑːli/ · frequency rank #89,970

## Definitions
1. One who manipulates or controls another as by some mesmeric or sinister influence; especially a coach, mentor or industry mogul.

## Etymology
Named for the hypnotist character Svengali in George du Maurier's novel Trilby. More at citations.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/svengali