magic
Americannoun
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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.
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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
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the use of this art.
Magic, it was believed, could drive illness from the body.
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the effects produced.
the magic of recovery.
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power or influence exerted through this art.
a wizard of great magic.
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any extraordinary or mystical influence, charm, power, etc..
the magic in a great name;
the magic of music;
the magic of spring.
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(initial capital letter) the U.S. code name for information from decrypting machine-enciphered Japanese wireless messages before and during World War II.
adjective
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employed in magic.
magic spells;
magic dances;
magic rites.
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mysteriously enchanting; magical.
magic beauty.
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of, relating to, or due to magic.
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producing the effects of magic; magical.
a magic touch.
verb (used with object)
noun
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the art that, by use of spells, supposedly invokes supernatural powers to influence events; sorcery
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the practice of this art
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the practice of illusory tricks to entertain other people; conjuring
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any mysterious or extraordinary quality or power
the magic of springtime
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very quickly
adjective
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of or relating to magic
a magic spell
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possessing or considered to possess mysterious powers
a magic wand
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unaccountably enchanting
magic beauty
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informal wonderful; marvellous; exciting
verb
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to transform or produce by or as if by magic
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(foll by away) to cause to disappear by or as if by magic
Synonym Usage
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
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has magickedperfect 3rd person singular
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have magickedperfect
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have been magickingperfect progressive
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am magickingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been magickingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are magickingprogressive
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is magickingprogressive 3rd person singular
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magicssingular 3rd person
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magickingparticiple
Past
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had magickedperfect
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was magickingprogressive singular
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were magickingprogressive plural
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had been magickingperfect progressive
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magickedsimple
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magickedparticiple
Future
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For a second opinion with close ties to childhood nonsense, I asked my Magic 8 Ball.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Winslet, who voiced the audiobooks of The Magic Faraway Tree series, told the teenager she was "absolutely staggered" she had to travel so far.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
The doc spotlights one of the most improvisational and dynamic players ever, soccer’s Magic Johnson.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
Like any monarchy, the Magic Kingdom has its royalty and its serfs.
From Slate • May 26, 2026
Duane gave a sigh of relief for Magic while he turned toward the front of the toboggan, toward the portion of the thrilling adventure ride that was still unfinished and awaiting.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
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.
