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
J. E. P. Grigg3
: the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand
entertained with acts of jugglery and magic
1
: of or relating to magic
2
a
: having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers
b
: giving a feeling of enchantment
Synonyms
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 WebCharna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
The film’s crucifixion scene employed actual footage from the 1961 eclipse, a rare intersection of real life and movie magic.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
And he's surrounded himself with musicians who know how to capture the magic of those records, including right-hand man Bruce Johnston, whose association with the Beach Boys stretches back to 1965.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2024
But such magic tends to disappear under the humbling fluorescents of a corner store, particularly unkind to drag makeup.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Despite two attempts to recapture the magic with a 2004 prequel and a 2017 TV remake, no one has successfully duplicated the feeling of that first triumphant lift.
—EW.com, 30 Mar. 2024
This is the potential and magic of an entrepreneurial endeavor.
—Lisa Z. Lindahl, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Spellbound hosts magic in the bar as well as its 30-seat theater.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
The magic of Hurrell’s pictures, Shumard notes, is in the relationship between the sitter and the camera, something the photographer can set in motion but never fully control, like a stage play when the curtains go up: Anything can happen.
—Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
The Arcadia Invitational and Mt. SAC Invitational two weeks after will tell whether this is indeed a magic hurdle year or just a seriously fast start.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024
When their magic pets get into trouble, Mila and Jordie (Ayden Elijah) step up to help.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
While there’s no magic cure to speeding up the process, research shows the best natural oils for hair growth (including castor oil and rosemary oil) can promote longer, thicker, and healthier hair.
—Jenn Barthole, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
The castle itself is a magic place, full of incredible energy.
—David Graver, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2024
Behold, the birth of one of the show's greatest running gags: the Intervention banner, unfurled first to get Marshall to stop wearing a ridiculous hat, then subsequently trotted out for everything from Barney's magic tricks to Lily's fake English accent.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024
There will be candy, crafts, a magic show, prizes, dance performances and a chance to take photos with the bunny.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024
Some of our pets are also looking for their magic matches just like Mila and Morphle.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
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
Vega connects that magic to the trappings of digital culture, which has led to, among other things, El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as national currency, despite many of its citizens not owning smartphones.
—Dallas News, 14 Dec. 2022
Naturally, then, speculation about the film’s reshoots has led to rumors that a few Lokis might magic their way into Doctor Strange and Wanda’s orbit.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 May 2022
Still, Richardson Jackson clearly knows how to direct actors and pulls magic out of her cast, creating a production worthy of August Wilson's legacy.
—Dave Quinn, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2022
Buckley had a vast tonal range from which to choose in his musical palette, from deep trauma to horror to otherworldly magic.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 July 2022
The auction house, through glossy catalogs and (increasingly) online offerings, can magic up artistic legitimacy that once only museums or scholars could assign.
—New York Times, 23 May 2022
The book opens the door to magic and brings readers inside its world by revealing the artistry, inside history, and fascinating traditions of a subject long shrouded in mystery.
—cleveland, 18 Mar. 2022
Noun
Vanessa Bryant celebrated Easter with some Disney magic.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
The film’s crucifixion scene employed actual footage from the 1961 eclipse, a rare intersection of real life and movie magic.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
And he's surrounded himself with musicians who know how to capture the magic of those records, including right-hand man Bruce Johnston, whose association with the Beach Boys stretches back to 1965.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2024
But such magic tends to disappear under the humbling fluorescents of a corner store, particularly unkind to drag makeup.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Despite two attempts to recapture the magic with a 2004 prequel and a 2017 TV remake, no one has successfully duplicated the feeling of that first triumphant lift.
—EW.com, 30 Mar. 2024
This is the potential and magic of an entrepreneurial endeavor.
—Lisa Z. Lindahl, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Spellbound hosts magic in the bar as well as its 30-seat theater.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
The magic of Hurrell’s pictures, Shumard notes, is in the relationship between the sitter and the camera, something the photographer can set in motion but never fully control, like a stage play when the curtains go up: Anything can happen.
—Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The act, which often involved magic tricks, playing the banjo and goofy glasses and props, brought him to television on the likes of The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
The Arcadia Invitational and Mt. SAC Invitational two weeks after will tell whether this is indeed a magic hurdle year or just a seriously fast start.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024
When their magic pets get into trouble, Mila and Jordie (Ayden Elijah) step up to help.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
While there’s no magic cure to speeding up the process, research shows the best natural oils for hair growth (including castor oil and rosemary oil) can promote longer, thicker, and healthier hair.
—Jenn Barthole, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
The castle itself is a magic place, full of incredible energy.
—David Graver, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2024
Behold, the birth of one of the show's greatest running gags: the Intervention banner, unfurled first to get Marshall to stop wearing a ridiculous hat, then subsequently trotted out for everything from Barney's magic tricks to Lily's fake English accent.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024
There will be candy, crafts, a magic show, prizes, dance performances and a chance to take photos with the bunny.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024
Some of our pets are also looking for their magic matches just like Mila and Morphle.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 20 Mar. 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
Vega connects that magic to the trappings of digital culture, which has led to, among other things, El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as national currency, despite many of its citizens not owning smartphones.
—Dallas News, 14 Dec. 2022
Naturally, then, speculation about the film’s reshoots has led to rumors that a few Lokis might magic their way into Doctor Strange and Wanda’s orbit.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 May 2022
Still, Richardson Jackson clearly knows how to direct actors and pulls magic out of her cast, creating a production worthy of August Wilson's legacy.
—Dave Quinn, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2022
Buckley had a vast tonal range from which to choose in his musical palette, from deep trauma to horror to otherworldly magic.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 July 2022
The auction house, through glossy catalogs and (increasingly) online offerings, can magic up artistic legitimacy that once only museums or scholars could assign.
—New York Times, 23 May 2022
The book opens the door to magic and brings readers inside its world by revealing the artistry, inside history, and fascinating traditions of a subject long shrouded in mystery.
—cleveland, 18 Mar. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of magic was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing magic
Dictionary Entries Near magic
Cite this Entry
“Magic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magic. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
adjective
ˈmaj-i-kəl
magically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
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
More from Merriam-Webster on magic
Nglish: Translation of magic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of magic for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about magic
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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