Other Word Forms
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.
"It often needs that magical moment when people discuss big questions on their minds and realize that together they can find unexpected answers."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026
There is nothing magical about 3%, but it’s high enough to warrant attention from traders.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
The musicians were smiling, the spectators tapped and clapped, and that magical sense of timelessness was real, spanning multiple generations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
Watching the agent complete a lengthy form with details from my inbox, such as my appointment date and date of birth, was magical, but also a little creepy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
She'd sneaked in to watch and listen to all her speeches about how the Arcanum had to be open to all, and how Marvellian society must make space for all magical human beings.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
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.
