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magic

SayMAJ-ik/ˈmæd͡ʒɪk/UK/ˈmad͡ʒɪk/

Pluralmagics (some meanings)

11 meanings of magic

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  1. 1
    sorcerynoununcountable
    The supposed power to control events or nature by supernatural means, such as spells and rituals, and the practice of using it.

    The villagers turned to magic to protect their crops from blight.

    Ancient priests practiced magic to win the favor of their gods.

    UsageCommon in use magic, believe in magic, by magic, and as if by magic.

    Similarsorcery, witchcraft, wizardry

  2. 2
    mysterious appealnoununcountable
    A special charm, exceptional skill, or mysterious way of working that produces remarkable results, especially when not fully understood.

    The old theater still has a magic that draws crowds back year after year.

    Her cooking has a magic that no recipe can quite capture.

    UsageOften a magic or a certain magic with to or in: there's a certain magic in her stories.

    Similarcharm, allure

  3. 3
    supernaturaladjective
    Having supernatural powers, properties, or qualities believed to come from magic.

    Legends tell of a magic well whose water healed any wound.

    The witch brewed a magic potion to break the curse.

    UsageBefore a noun: a magic wand, a magic potion. After a verb, magical is more natural.

    Similarmagical

  4. 4
    art of illusionnoununcountable
    The art of performing tricks and illusions that seem impossible, to entertain an audience, or one such trick.

    She practices magic, perfecting each illusion until the audience can't spot the trick.

    His stage magic relies on quick hands and clever distraction.

    UsageCommon in do magic, perform magic, and stage magic.

    Similarconjuring, illusion

    Note

    The performer's art usually rests on an understanding that nobody claims real power. The illusion imitates occult practice while the audience is expected to know it is a trick. Context usually keeps the two apart. Where it might not, stage magic or conjuring makes the entertainment sense plain.

    Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

    • This is a usual convention, but some performers claim supernatural powers. en.wikipedia.org
    • Some performances, particularly mentalism, deliberately leave audiences uncertain. en.wikipedia.org
  5. 5
    adjective
    Producing extraordinary results, as if brought about by magic.

    There's no magic solution that fixes a struggling business overnight.

    The coach kept searching for the magic combination of players to win.

    UsageCommon in no magic solution, a magic formula and a magic bullet.

    Similaramazing

  6. 6
    adjective
    Concerned with conjuring and illusion as performed to entertain an audience.

    She enrolled in a magic workshop to learn sleight of hand.

    The magic trick fooled even the people in the front row.

    UsageBefore a noun: magic trick, magic show, magic kit.

    Similarmagical

  7. 7
    a single spellnouncountable
    A particular spell or magical ability, including a game character's power to cast spells.

    In the novel, each wizard masters one of the elemental magics, such as fire, water, or wind.

    "I am the master of mighty magics."
    2017, Neil Gaiman, Norse Mythology
    Note

    Here magic becomes countable, something a person can make, hold or boast of. In C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) the witch "has made a magic so that it is always winter," and Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology (2017) has "mighty magics." Unlike the practice itself, it takes an article and a plural. It is uncommon and has a storybook flavor, so in ordinary prose a spell is the safer choice.

    Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

    • C. S. Lewis wrote The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, first published in 1950. en.wikipedia.org
    • The quoted words occur in the novel and describe the witch's enchantment; Lucy is the speaker. fadedpage.com
    • Neil Gaiman wrote Norse Mythology, first published in 2017. en.wikipedia.org
    • Norse Mythology contains the exact phrase “mighty magics.” en.wiktionary.org
  8. 8
    adjectivecolloquial
    Wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable.

    The whole trip was absolutely magic from start to finish.

    That weekend in the mountains with my old school friends was just magic.

    Similarwonderful, brilliant, fantastic, amazing, terrific

    Oppositeawful, terrible

Less common meanings

  1. 9
    conjure upverbtransitive
    To make something appear, or change it, by magic or seemingly by magic.

    She magicked up a three-course meal from whatever was left in the fridge.

    Give her a few lamps and some fabric, and she can magic any dull room into a festive hall.

    UsagePast magicked, with a k. Often with a result word: magic up a meal, magic the mess away.

    Similarconjure, transform

    Note

    John Banville's Ghosts (1993) has figures "magicked into immobility," and Oliver Bullough's Moneyland (2018) has professionals who "magic so much money offshore."

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

  2. 10
    adjective
    Of a number or string value written directly into code, not defined as a named constant or variable.
  3. 11
    adjective
    Designating a number of protons or neutrons that gives an atomic nucleus exceptional stability, such as 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, and 126.

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Origin

It comes from Middle English 'magik', from Old French 'magique', from Latin 'magicus', from Ancient Greek 'magikós' ('magical'), which derives from 'mágos' ('magus'). It ultimately traces back to Old Iranian, probably from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to be able to, to help; power, sorcerer'.

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 6 facts