US /ˈmæd͡ʒɪk/ UK /ˈmad͡ʒɪk/
noun adj Freq #1070

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    The power to make impossible things happen by using special words, spells, or rituals.

    In the story, the wizard used magic to turn the prince into a frog.

  2. 2
    noun

    Tricks performed to entertain people by making things seem to happen impossibly.

    The children gasped as the man performed magic and pulled a rabbit from his hat.

  3. 3
    noun

    A special, wonderful quality that makes something feel exciting or enchanting.

    There is a certain magic in the city when it snows at Christmas.

  4. 4
    adj

    Having or using supernatural powers.

    The fairy waved her magic wand and the carriage appeared.

  5. 5
    adj

    Wonderful; producing remarkable results as if by magic.

    That was a magic moment when she finally said yes.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · the power to make... sorcerywitchcraftwizardry
2 noun · tricks performed to... magic trick
4 adj · having or using... magical
5 adj · wonderful; producing... amazingwonderful
More bewitcherycharmworkconjurationconjuringcraftdiableriedruidcraftdweomercraftdwimmerdwimmercraftenchantmentgoety
Word family
Forms magickedmagickingmagics
Derived forms antimagicautomagicbemagickedbimagiccacomagiccounter-magiccybermagicmagic-likemagicalmagicallymagicdommagicful

Common collocations

Etymology

From Middle English magik, magyk, from Old French magique (noun and adjective), from Latin magicus (adjective), magica (noun use of feminine form of magicus), from Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós, “magical”), from μάγος (mágos, “magus”). Ultimately from Old Iranian, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂gʰ- (“to be able to, to help; power, sorcerer”). Displaced native Old English ġealdor (survived in Middle English galder), and dwimmer.

View etymology graph ->

Topics

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