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
Adding to the nostalgia of the track, the black and white music video captures the magic of the recording process in the studio. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024 Scorpio: Palm Springs, California While this quirky desert town gets sweltering in the summer, spring is the perfect time to visit to enjoy the magic of the Coachella Valley’s natural landscape and get some not-too-intense sunshine in Palm Springs. Nina Kahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024 The entire industry is an illusion: actors, dialogue, costumes, sets, editing, even the magic of performers appearing on small screens with a snap, like genies summoned to amuse. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Born, bred, and carefully molded for the stage by their father/manager, Joe, brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael made Motown magic and a million fans swoon with their bell-bottoms and smooth vocals. Lisa Raphael, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024 Help your preteen learn a new hobby with this easy magic set. Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024 Opening the doors of a new restaurant is hard enough—keeping them open requires grit, talent, and a little magic. Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024 Nicole Byer is quite literally bringing her own brand of Black girl magic to the screen with her latest role as the proverbial H.N.I.C. of The American Society of Magical Negroes. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 18 Mar. 2024 That's where the magic happens on the easy days, or his temples sweat on the hard ones. Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024
Adjective
There will be candy, crafts, a magic show, prizes, dance performances and a chance to take photos with the bunny. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 Some of our pets are also looking for their magic matches just like Mila and Morphle. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 There’s a lot of magic practitioners in the neighborhood looking for obscure occult texts. Zan Romanoff, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Doing that while also improving its speed and handling prowess sounds like a proper magic trick, but that’s exactly what the marque’s engineers set out to do in creating the 2025 Porsche Panamera. Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 Opening on Saturday, the indoor/outdoor exhibit meant to turn folks of all ages onto the magic and wonderful strangeness of the natural world, offers a wide variety of cool objects and activities. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 The king, determined to strengthen his kingdom, seeks a new wife, Brunhild — the famous Valkyrie queen, who has old magic powers. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 Performing well in primaries and caucuses equals delegates, and the larger goal is amassing the magic number of 1,215 delegates to win the party’s nomination. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 But – apologies to my editor – there’s no magic number here. Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 6 Mar. 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 29 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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