Magi
Americanplural noun
singular
Magus-
null the Magi, in the Bible, the astrologers who paid homage to the young child Jesus, traditionally assumed to be three in number and to be named Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior.
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the class of Zoroastrian priests in ancient Media and Persia, reputed to possess supernatural powers.
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magi, people who are believed to have expertise in interpreting the assumed influence of the stars, moon, and planets on human affairs; astrologers.
plural noun
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the Zoroastrian priests of the ancient Medes and Persians
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the wise men from the East who came to do homage to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12) and traditionally called Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Magi
First recorded in 1175–1225; see origin at Magus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These are the Annunciation, the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi; Jesus praying on the Mount of Olives, the Crucifixion and the Lamentation; and, finally, the Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025
In the second half, the soaked photographer was spotted by Ferguson, who asked her: "Magi, are you a bit wet?" and told her to "come and sit between Kiddo and myself".
From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025
Nobody can tell you whether any of them knew a Magi from a Musketeer, not to mention that the Roman Empire they worked under was a failed administration.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025
“We are called instead to set out and journey, like the Magi, following the light that always desires to lead us on, at times along unexplored paths and new roads.”
From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2023
I worried that if she kept it up, the Three Magi wouldn’t come with presents.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.