magic

1 of 3

noun

mag·​ic ˈma-jik How to pronounce magic (audio)
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 aloneJ. 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Veuve Clicquot At the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in October 2024, Impulse was brought in to enhance guest engagement and capture the magic of the event. Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024 Bring that magic into their home with this set of three porcelain candleholders, known as lithophanes, created in collaboration with Maison Bernardaud, which has specialized in Limoges porcelain since 1863. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Wendt is just punching the clock in Santa Buddies, which is fair, because its internal mythology, which revolves around a magic icicle that melts whenever kids stop believing in Santa — an interesting spin on climate change, to be sure — is exhausting. Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024 Early Wednesday morning, Republicans led 197-167, with each party focusing in on the magic 218. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 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 See all Example Sentences for magic 

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

Dictionary Entries Near magic

Cite this Entry

“Magic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magic. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on magic

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