magic

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A supposed power to make impossible things happen by spells, rituals or hidden forces.

   Grammar: Uncountable: there is no plural; say a piece of magic or some magic.

   Patterns

   • use magic
   • believe in magic

   In the story, a wizard uses magic to turn mice into horses.

   The villagers believed in magic and feared the old woman.

   The spell only works if the magic is strong enough.

2. 2noununcountable

   Entertainment in which a performer uses clever tricks to create the illusion of impossible things.

   Grammar: Uncountable; also called conjuring or stage magic.

   Patterns

   • do magic
   • perform magic

   The street performer did magic with coins and cards.

   He learned magic from a book at age ten.

   My uncle performs magic at children's parties.

3. 3noununcountablefigurative

   A special, delightful quality that makes something feel wonderful or enchanted.

   Grammar: Uncountable and usually figurative: the magic of Paris.

   Patterns

   • the magic of something
   • work its magic

   Snow added a little magic to the town square.

   The magic of live music is hard to describe.

   The new coach has worked his magic on the team.

4. 4adjectivebefore a noun

   Having or seeming to have supernatural powers, or wonderfully effective.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun: a magic wand, a magic word.

   Patterns

   • a magic trick
   • a magic wand

   The child waved a magic wand.

   There is no magic solution to the problem.

   Saying please is the magic word.

Common combinations

work magic

A cup of tea can work magic on a bad day.

black magic

The film is about a witch who practices black magic.

magic trick

He performed a magic trick with a scarf.

magic wand

I wish I had a magic wand to fix this.

as if by magic

The stain disappeared as if by magic.

Synonyms and how they differ

sorcery

Sorcery is more literary and suggests dark or powerful spells, whereas magic is the general everyday word.

enchantment

Enchantment stresses being charmed or put under a spell, and also the pleasant feeling it creates.

witchcraft

Witchcraft refers specifically to the practices of witches, often with a sinister sense.

illusion

Illusion is the deception itself, while magic can also include real or supposed supernatural power.

Opposites

Word family

magical adjective

enchanting or having magic powers

magically adverb

in a way that seems to be produced by magic

magician noun

a performer of tricks, or a person with magic powers

magic verb

to move or produce as if by magic (British, rare)

magus noun

an ancient priest or sorcerer

Commonly confused: magic or magical? magic or majestic?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “magic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words