magic

1 of 3

noun

mag·​ic ˈma-jik 

1

a

: the use of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces

b

: magic rites or incantations

2

a

: an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source

Both pitchers, although they are older, haven't lost their magic.

b

: something that seems to cast a spell : enchantment

all the mystery, magic and romance which belong to royalty alone

—J. E. P. Grigg

3

: the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand

entertained with acts of jugglery and magic

magic

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of or relating to magic

2

a

: having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers

b

: giving a feeling of enchantment

magic

3 of 3

verb

magicked; magicking

transitive verb

: to produce, remove, or influence by magic

Synonyms

Noun

• bewitchery
• bewitchment
• conjuring
• devilry
• deviltry
• diablerie
• enchantment
• ensorcellment
• mojo
• necromancy
• sorcery
• thaumaturgy
• voodooism
• witchcraft
• witchery
• wizardry

Adjective

• bewitched
• charmed
• enchanted
• entranced
• magical
• spellbound

Examples of magic in a Sentence

Noun

children who believe in magic

a book that explains how to do magic

Both pitchers, though they are older, haven't lost their magic.

Adjective

a magic potion that makes you able to fly

There is no magic solution to these problems.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To learn more about superstition, check out my new book about the science of magic. —Popular Science Staff, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024

Death Becomes Her, the new musical adaptation of the 1992 comedy fantasy film, worked up some Broadway magic in its second week since beginning performances at the Lunt-Fontanne, grossing an impressive $1,073,018 for seven previews and filling 98% of the venue’s seats. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

To test the properties of the magic mud, the group developed custom equipment. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024

That is your magic number, assuming no surprises anywhere else. —ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024

Verb

Perhaps LLMs will be able to magic up individual articles about that content too: Joan reading an article about the latest episode of Joan Is Awful, which then becomes a scene in the next episode of Joan Is Awful, content about content about content. —WIRED, 15 June 2023

And there’s hardly a deer hunter alive who doesn’t dream of taking a buck that eclipses that magic 200 number. —Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English magique, from Middle French, from Latin magice, from Greek magikē, feminine of magikos Magian, magical, from magos magus, sorcerer, of Iranian origin; akin to Old Persian maguš sorcerer

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1906, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing magic

• black magic
• by magic
• like magic
• magic bullet
• magic carpet
• magic formula
• magic lantern
• magic mushroom
• magic realism
• magic square
• magic touch
• magic wand
• sympathetic magic
• work like magic
• work magic
• work one's magic

Kids Definition

magic

noun

mag·​ic

ˈmaj-ik

1

: the power to control natural forces that is possessed by certain persons (as wizards and witches) in folktales and fiction

2

a

: a power that seems mysterious

the magic of a great name

b

: something that charms

the magic of their singing

3

: the art or skill of performing tricks or illusions as if by magic for entertainment

magic adjective

magical

ˈmaj-i-kəl

adjective

magically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Etymology

Noun

Middle English magique "use of supernatural powers," from early French magique (same meaning), from Latin magice (same meaning), derived from Greek magikos "magical, relating to magi," from magos "Persian priest, sorcerer" — related to magi