magic

1 of 3

noun

mag·​ic ˈma-jik How to pronounce magic (audio)
1
a
: the use of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces
b
: magic rites or incantations
2
a
: an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source
Both pitchers, although they are older, haven't lost their magic.
b
: something that seems to cast a spell : enchantment
all the mystery, magic and romance which belong to royalty aloneJ. E. P. Grigg
3
: the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand
entertained with acts of jugglery and magic

magic

2 of 3

adjective

1
: of or relating to magic
2
a
: having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers
b
: giving a feeling of enchantment

magic

3 of 3

verb

magicked; magicking

transitive verb

: to produce, remove, or influence by magic

Examples of magic in a Sentence

Noun children who believe in magic a book that explains how to do magic Both pitchers, though they are older, haven't lost their magic. Adjective a magic potion that makes you able to fly There is no magic solution to these problems.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That's where the magic happens on the easy days, or his temples sweat on the hard ones. Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 The Toreros even enjoyed a bit of March magic, beating Pepperdine on Friday night on Wayne McKinney III’s last-second shot. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 Margolyes’ character taught students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a fictional boarding school of magic created by author J. K. Rowling. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 There must be a stylist out there who can work their magic with the help of the right undergarments and a great shoe. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 On the walls, posters for magic shows and educational fliers that an Indian student would recognize from a textbook—guides to types of rocks and seed germination—hang in cherry red frames. Vrinda Jagota, SPIN, 7 Mar. 2024 According to Joanna Gaines Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse is a six-episode show featuring a mid-century modern lakefront home in a Waco neighborhood the couple hasn't yet graced with their renovation magic. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 In order to recapture that magic and emotion, marketers must take a step back from the fast-paced, everything-everywhere cycle and focus on relationships. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Disney World is making a splash in 2025 adding even more magic to those staying at one of its many on-site resorts. Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024
Adjective
But – apologies to my editor – there’s no magic number here. Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 6 Mar. 2024 For the designer, who splits time between Los Angeles and Texas, three is the magic number. Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 After defeating Daniil Medvedev at Melbourne in January, the 22-year-old has been walking on air, fueled by that magic dust of Grand Slam status. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 While there’s no magic number, expect to dedicate significant time to your CPA exam prep. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024 Is there some magic trick that Biden or Trump can pull out to make these narratives go away? Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Abilities require their own version of the ATB meter to be filled by multiple characters, and have greater rewards like granting infinite magic points or increasing ATB gauges. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2024 Leading a turnaround for General Motors in South America wasn’t magic, according to Carlos Zarlenga. Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024 Still Together? Entertainment Taylor Swift Sings ‘Should've Said No' Amid Joe Alwyn Cheating Rumors Waddingham’s gorgeous glow and complexion comes courtesy of great genes and the magic hands of skin care genius Joanna Vargas, who has locations in both Los Angeles and New York City. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
Perhaps LLMs will be able to magic up individual articles about that content too: Joan reading an article about the latest episode of Joan Is Awful, which then becomes a scene in the next episode of Joan Is Awful, content about content about content. WIRED, 15 June 2023 And there’s hardly a deer hunter alive who doesn’t dream of taking a buck that eclipses that magic 200 number. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023 Vega connects that magic to the trappings of digital culture, which has led to, among other things, El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as national currency, despite many of its citizens not owning smartphones. Dallas News, 14 Dec. 2022 Naturally, then, speculation about the film’s reshoots has led to rumors that a few Lokis might magic their way into Doctor Strange and Wanda’s orbit. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 May 2022 Still, Richardson Jackson clearly knows how to direct actors and pulls magic out of her cast, creating a production worthy of August Wilson's legacy. Dave Quinn, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2022 Buckley had a vast tonal range from which to choose in his musical palette, from deep trauma to horror to otherworldly magic. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 July 2022 The auction house, through glossy catalogs and (increasingly) online offerings, can magic up artistic legitimacy that once only museums or scholars could assign. New York Times, 23 May 2022 The book opens the door to magic and brings readers inside its world by revealing the artistry, inside history, and fascinating traditions of a subject long shrouded in mystery. cleveland, 18 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English magique, from Middle French, from Latin magice, from Greek magikē, feminine of magikos Magian, magical, from magos magus, sorcerer, of Iranian origin; akin to Old Persian maguš sorcerer

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of magic was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near magic

Cite this Entry

“Magic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

magic

noun
mag·​ic
ˈmaj-ik
1
: the power to control natural forces that is possessed by certain persons (as wizards and witches) in folktales and fiction
2
a
: a power that seems mysterious
the magic of a great name
b
: something that charms
the magic of their singing
3
: the art or skill of performing tricks or illusions as if by magic for entertainment
magic adjective
magical
ˈmaj-i-kəl
adjective
magically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb
Etymology

Noun

Middle English magique "use of supernatural powers," from early French magique (same meaning), from Latin magice (same meaning), derived from Greek magikos "magical, relating to magi," from magos "Persian priest, sorcerer" — related to magi

More from Merriam-Webster on magic

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