Other Word Forms
- hypermagical adjective
- hypermagically adverb
- magically adverb
- quasi-magical adjective
- quasi-magically adverb
- semimagical adjective
- semimagically adverb
- unmagical adjective
- unmagically adverb
Etymology
Origin of magical
Explanation
Something magical seems to work by way of some mysterious, unseen force. If you had magical powers, you could make annoying people disappear or instantly fill your room with adorable kittens. Wizards and witches are know for their magical and sometimes evil powers. However, a gorgeous sunset or a perfect day at Disney World can also feel magical. Magical comes from the Greek magikos, (also "magical"), from magos, "member of the learned and priestly class," probably stemming from the Proto-Indo-European magh-, "to have power."
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.
And we’re all left a little breathless, looking around at each other, as though something magical has occurred.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
To come close to matching the romance of Rory McIlroy's magical Masters then surely the Green Jacket in 2026 has to go to the man beaten in the play-off 12 months ago.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover, who pilots the Orion spacecraft, said before liftoff this week that eyes were a "magical instrument."
From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026
While magical, these power-assisted portals are nothing but a pain, requiring several feet of side clearance to fully open.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
Birds, both natural and magical, sang out their songs, each competing with its neighbor.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
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.
