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• genie
  genie

  noun

  jinn.
• Genie
  Genie

  noun

  an award given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television in recognition of Canadian cinematic achievements

genie

American  

[jee-nee] / ˈdʒi ni /

noun

• genies
  plural

1. Islamic Mythology. jinn.

2. a spirit, often appearing in human form, that when summoned by a person carries out the wishes of the summoner.

3. any spirit; demon.

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genie ¹ British  

/ ˈdʒiːnɪ /

noun

1. (in fairy tales and stories) a servant who appears by magic and fulfils a person's wishes

2. another word for jinni

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Genie ² British  

/ ˈdʒiːnɪ /

noun

1. an award given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television in recognition of Canadian cinematic achievements

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• genies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of genie

1645–55; < French génie < Latin genius; see genius

Explanation

A genie is a mythological spirit. In stories, most genies are described as magical beings that live inside lamps or bottles and grant people's wishes. The word genie comes from the French génie, a word that was coined for the French translation of the book Arabian Nights and comes from the Arabic jinni. Genies were a staple of ancient Arabian myths, and later of Islamic folktales. If you've ever seen the movie Aladdin, you know the popular version of a genie, who appears to grant wishes after being summoned from an oil lamp.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

genie Genie genies

"I don't know how they're going to put the genie back in the bottle," Lee told AFP.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

A typical plot could have a down-on-his-luck young man meeting a friendly genie or a couple from different classes defying all odds and melodrama to marry.

From BBC ● May 1, 2026

“We may not be able to put this genie back into the bottle,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

“So just like that, the proverbial genie is out of the bottle and it’s on videotape that I’m going to UCLA,” Easley would recall many years later.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2025

Thinking the battle was almost over, the genie doubled his efforts.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

According to Crowley’s attorneys Genie Harrison and Mia Munro, the mayor knowingly made false statements in her personal capacity and as an election candidate, which they say are not protected by government immunity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

The 45-year-old Genie in a Bottle singer last played in the UK in 2022 and visited London, Manchester and Liverpool.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

So why, after a decade of living that dream, did my wife, Genie Austin, and I decide to stop traveling and start building a house in rural Serbia?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 22, 2026

After Google launched Genie, which lets customers use AI to make video games, shares of video-game companies took a beating.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 4, 2026

That made Genie wonder if maybe Ernie got the idea of wearing sunglasses in the house from Grandpop too.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

For centuries there have been stories that it harboured jinns, or genies.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2021

His novels are tricked out with genies and tarot cards and magic mirrors and references to things like evil chicken entrails powder and witches and dragon ladies.

From New York Times ● May 24, 2021

All other genies wish they looked as magical as Houston Texans star Hopkins did this Halloween, fully committing to this mystical ensemble with blue body paint and lavish jewelry.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2019

I try to play two small roles at these annual events: One, I help my friends make sure the various Princess Elsas, dragons, Pokémon and genies do not wander too close to a burning gourd.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 17, 2019

After all, giants, witches, and genies were one thing.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley