magic

noun

mag·ic | \ ˈma-jik

Definition of magic

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : the use of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces

b : magic rites or incantations

2a : 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

adjective

Definition of magic (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : of or relating to magic

2a : having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers

b : giving a feeling of enchantment

magic

verb

magicked; magicking

Definition of magic (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to produce, remove, or influence by magic

Other Words from magic Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about magic

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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

Michael Nyerges, Cincinnati Enquirer The one moment when execution, skill, spontaneity and a whole lot of magic can mix together to create a legend. — Jim Owczarski, Cincinnati.com, "The No. 2 Cincinnati Bengals play in last 30 years: Jerome Simpson’s flip," 12 July 2018 Jennifer Otten Schmeiser, Evanston, Ill. Northern Exposure, which ran on CBS from 1990 to 1995, captured the ludicrousness of life and flashes of magic along the way. — Julie Meister, The Christian Science Monitor, "What are you watching? Readers choose their favorite sitcoms," 6 July 2018 Trump, after his trip overseas to Asia and the Middle East, crowed to aides for days about the grandiose treatment — and the Brits hope to reproduce some of that magic. — Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, "In Britain, Trump will see castles and the queen and steer clear of protesters," 6 July 2018 Again, a life that is better is not an act of magic. — S. D. Chrismon, The Root, "‘It Gets Better’: The Lie We Tell LGBTQ Youths," 15 June 2018 But that feeling of meeting him, and also again in the audition room and just being overtaken by this sense of magic. — Max Cea, GQ, "Betty Gabriel Is Waiting for Hollywood’s Call," 1 June 2018 Because the 2018 World Cup has been fantastic, and little Croatia, dismissed by many soccer snobs, particularly those in the British sports media, has magic at its feet. — John Kass, chicagotribune.com, "Joy of Chicago's Croatians cresting as World Cup final with France approaches," 13 July 2018 Clearly, the Weetzie Bat movie is going to bring some serious magic to our lives — and the big screen. — Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, "Sasha Lane, Nick Robinson, and Anya Taylor-Johnson are Starring in an Adaption of '80s YA Classic "Weetzie Bat"," 12 July 2018 Check out five ways Weezer and Pixies conjured nostalgic magic in Indiana: 1. — David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "5 ways Weezer and Pixies conjured nostalgic magic at Ruoff amphitheater," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

At 6 feet 4 and known for lumbering about with his bald head down in thought, Gibson cut a formidable figure in the newsroom, an image that belied his compassion for reporters and knack for magic tricks. — Corina Knoll, latimes.com, "Bob Gibson, former L.A. Times foreign editor, dies at 89," 23 June 2018 But Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom doesn’t have the dedication to pull off that particular magic trick. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is a stunning disappointment," 22 June 2018 Even more puzzling: His magic touch has gone missing. — Andrew Lawrence, The Atlantic, "What’s Going on With Novak Djokovic?," 30 June 2018 For decades, the magic formula was to spray fields full of cotton genetically engineered to resist herbicides, such as Roundup, and then watch the weeds dutifully die. — Lynn Brezosky, San Antonio Express-News, "A&M cotton research could open new front in war on weeds," 5 July 2018 Well, sometimes magic tricks don’t go exactly as planned. — Alysha Tsuji, For The Win, "Magician awkwardly left hanging after flubbing trick to reveal Anze Kopitar as award winner," 20 June 2018 There’s no one formula and there’s no magic formula. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "White Sox 6, Brewers 1: String of winning series ends at six as bats go quiet in Chicago," 3 June 2018 And because of this 29-degree tilt in the grid, the magic moment of the setting sun aligning with Manhattan’s cross streets does not coincide with the June solstice but rather with specific dates in late May and early July. — Joe Rao, Scientific American, "Manhattanhenge: What It Is, and How to See It," 29 May 2018 In linguistics, they are called performative verbs — magic words that can alter reality simply by being uttered. — Avi Selk, Washington Post, "A brief history of Trump attempting to ‘hereby demand’ things," 21 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

It’s hard to see how wanting to magic away their beliefs is compatible with an expansive vision of tolerance that would bring ideological balance to secular universities. — Alan Levinovitz, Slate Magazine, "Today’s political climate doesn’t require more tolerance. It requires less.," 20 Mar. 2017 Brewers’ efforts to magic up a new daypart for beer come as sales of the beverage are falling, both in the U.S. and world-wide. — Lara O’reilly, WSJ, "CMO Today: WPP Suffers Hack; Brunch Beer; Verizon Pursues Carrier Data Tie-Ups," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'magic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for magic

Noun

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

Adjective

see magic entry 1

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