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.
The Mikaela Shiffrin Magical Mystery Tour is officially over with a shiny Italian victory.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026
Magical revivals can take all kinds of forms, as I pointed out to Tartakovsky in a recent conversation.
From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026
The membership vote, conducted Sept. 8 through 29, follows several dramatic changes for Pitchford, the Magic Castle and the Academy of Magical Arts.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025
“Walt Disney — A Magical Life” has generated much curiosity, speculation and controversy since it was unveiled at last year’s D23 fan convention.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025
“Dad said everyone from Magical Maintenance wears navy blue robes.”
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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.
