magical

adjective

mag·​i·​cal ˈma-ji-kəl How to pronounce magical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, characterized by, or producing magic : magic
magical powers
a story set in a magical world
a magical charm/spell/incantation
an amulet believed to have magical properties
2
: produced by or as if by magic
a magical transformation
words that seemed to have a magical effect
3
: extremely or extraordinarily pleasant, enjoyable, or exciting
a magical evening
On that first magical morning in London, my heart and spirit turned everything into delight.Russell Baker
The 2008 presidential race was almost a dead heat and the entire year leading up to the election had been a magical time to work on a live satirical sketch comedy show.Amy Poehler
magically adverb
magically transformed
a change that happened almost magically
Some officers seem to rise magically through the ranks, immune to criticism that would trip up others. Mark Thompson

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Riding past rhinos and zebras is magical in a different way, and that's what makes this ride a must-experience at Animal Kingdom. Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2023 In the end the prince marries another girl and the mermaid, unable to kill the prince with a magical dagger for which her sisters have traded their long hair, eventually dissolves into thin air — seriously. Helena Andrews-dyer, Washington Post, 24 May 2023 Banel & Adama is an epic, magical realism love story set in a remote village in northern Senegal. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2023 Partly what intrigued me in Dykette is seeing gender, or these notions of butch and femme and top and bottom, as being continually useful and fun and magical terms that enhance your life. Hazlitt, 17 May 2023 Here are 14 things to do in the magical country town filled with wine and lavender blooms. FROM THE ARCHIVES On May 16, 1929, the first Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Karim Doumar, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023 Speaking to co-hosts and fellow former Disney Channel actors Jennifer Stone and David DeLuise, the pop singer dubbed Lesbian Jesus recalled how the magical sitcom granted her one of her first jobs in Hollywood. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 15 May 2023 The honor came 82 years to the day — May 11, 1941 — that the magical, charismatic righthander, then age 34, pitched at the Stadium as part of a four-team Sunday doubleheader. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023 Her character Madame Morrible teaches Elphaba how to use her magical powers. Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 9 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of magical was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near magical

Cite this Entry

“Magical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magical. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

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