magic

American  

[maj-ik] / ˈmædʒ ɪk /

noun

1. the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.; legerdemain; conjuring.

   to pull a rabbit out of a hat by magic.

2. the art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of incantation or various other techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the forces of nature.

   Synonyms:

   enchantment

3. the use of this art.

   Magic, it was believed, could drive illness from the body.

4. the effects produced.

   the magic of recovery.

5. power or influence exerted through this art.

   a wizard of great magic.

6. any extraordinary or mystical influence, charm, power, etc..

   the magic in a great name;

   the magic of music;

   the magic of spring.

7. (initial capital letter) the U.S. code name for information from decrypting machine-enciphered Japanese wireless messages before and during World War II.

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adjective

1. employed in magic.

   magic spells;

   magic dances;

   magic rites.

2. mysteriously enchanting; magical.

   magic beauty.

3. of, relating to, or due to magic.

4. producing the effects of magic; magical.

   a magic touch.

verb (used with object)

magicked, magicking

1. to create, transform, move, etc., by or as if by magic.

   I magicked him into a medieval knight.

magic British  

/ ˈmædʒɪk /

noun

1. the art that, by use of spells, supposedly invokes supernatural powers to influence events; sorcery

2. the practice of this art

3. the practice of illusory tricks to entertain other people; conjuring

4. any mysterious or extraordinary quality or power

   the magic of springtime

5. very quickly

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adjective

1. of or relating to magic

   a magic spell

2. possessing or considered to possess mysterious powers

   a magic wand

3. unaccountably enchanting

   magic beauty

4. informal wonderful; marvellous; exciting

verb

1. to transform or produce by or as if by magic

2. (foll by away) to cause to disappear by or as if by magic

Related Words

Magic, necromancy, sorcery, witchcraft imply producing results through mysterious influences or unexplained powers. Magic may have glamorous and attractive connotations; the other terms suggest the harmful and sinister. Magic is an art employing some occult force of nature: A hundred years ago television would have seemed to be magic. Necromancy is an art of prediction based on alleged communication with the dead (it is called “the black art,” because Greek nekrós, dead, was confused with Latin niger, black): Necromancy led to violating graves. Sorcery, originally divination by casting lots, came to mean supernatural knowledge gained through the aid of evil spirits, and often used for evil ends: spells and charms used in sorcery. Witchcraft especially suggests a malign kind of magic, often used against innocent victims: Those accused of witchcraft were executed.

Other Word Forms

• magical
  adjective
• magically
  adverb
• quasi-magic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of magic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English magik(e) “witchcraft,” from Late Latin magica, Latin magicē, from Greek magikḗ, noun use of feminine of magikós “magical”; see Magus, -ic

Explanation

Magic describes those unlikely events that seem to have a supernatural force behind them. When the elevator doors open just as you approach, it may seem like magic. If you believe in witches and sorcerers, you probably already know that they can use magic to make impossible things happen. Magic is often used more broadly to describe things that just seem to involve some greater power. The waiter may appear as if by magic just when you’re craving dessert. Magic can also describe seemingly impossible tricks performed by an entertainer — a magician — such as making a person disappear or pulling a coin out of thin air.

Example Sentences

After scrolling through sleep advice on Instagram, one name appeared repeatedly - Alison Scott-Wright, also known as the "Magic Sleep Fairy".

From BBC • May 5, 2026

When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was James’s age, he was chipping in 14 points a night for a Lakers team that had been handed over to Magic Johnson.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic stunned Eastern Conference top seeds Detroit Pistons 112-101 to take a 1-0 lead in their seven-game series.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Jerry West signed Shaquille O’Neal to the Lakers in 1996 after four years with the Orlando Magic.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Magic had a tendency to fail...and usually at the worst possible time.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Related Words

• fascination
• illusion
• wizardry