magic.
The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them.
Meaning & usage
The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them.
“My magic will help you find true love,” said the witch as she looked for the right herbs in her collection.
The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them. The supernatural forces which are drawn on in such a ritual.
The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them. A specific ritual or procedure associated with such magic; a spell; a magical ability.
The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them. The ability to cast a magic spell.
I learned a new magic after rescuing the tree fairy.
Something producing successful and remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; exceptional skill.
Something producing successful and remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; exceptional skill. Complicated or esoteric code that is not expected to be generally understood.
The art or practice of performing conjuring tricks and illusions to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers.
The art or practice of performing conjuring tricks and illusions to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers. One such conjuring trick or illusion.
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der. Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-ú-s Proto-Indo-Iranian *magʰúš Proto-Iranian *magúš Old Persian 𐎶𐎦𐏁 (m-gu-š /maguš/)bor. Ancient Greek μάγος (mágos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós)bor. Latin magicus Old French magiquebor. Middle English magik English magic From Middle English magik, magyk, from Old French magique (noun and adjective), from Latin magicus (adjective), magica (noun use of feminine form of magicus), from Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós, “magical”), from μάγος (mágos, “magus”). Ultimately from Old Iranian, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂gʰ- (“to be able to, to help; power, sorcerer”). Displaced Old English ġealdor (whence Middle English galder) and dwimmer.
Having supernatural talents, properties or qualities attributed to magic.
a magic wand
a magic dragon
Producing extraordinary results, as though through the use of magic.
a magic moment
Pertaining to conjuring tricks or illusions performed for entertainment etc.
a magic show
a magic trick
Great; excellent.
I cleaned up the flat while you were out. —Really? Magic!
Describing the number of nucleons in a particularly stable isotopic nucleus; 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, and 184.
Being a literal number or string value with no meaning or context, not defined as a constant or variable
The code is full of magic numbers and we can't figure out what they mean.
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der. Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-ú-s Proto-Indo-Iranian *magʰúš Proto-Iranian *magúš Old Persian 𐎶𐎦𐏁 (m-gu-š /maguš/)bor. Ancient Greek μάγος (mágos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós)bor. Latin magicus Old French magiquebor. Middle English magik English magic From Middle English magik, magyk, from Old French magique (noun and adjective), from Latin magicus (adjective), magica (noun use of feminine form of magicus), from Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós, “magical”), from μάγος (mágos, “magus”). Ultimately from Old Iranian, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂gʰ- (“to be able to, to help; power, sorcerer”). Displaced Old English ġealdor (whence Middle English galder) and dwimmer.
To produce, transform (something), (as if) by magic.
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der. Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-ú-s Proto-Indo-Iranian *magʰúš Proto-Iranian *magúš Old Persian 𐎶𐎦𐏁 (m-gu-š /maguš/)bor. Ancient Greek μάγος (mágos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós)bor. Latin magicus Old French magiquebor. Middle English magik English magic From Middle English magik, magyk, from Old French magique (noun and adjective), from Latin magicus (adjective), magica (noun use of feminine form of magicus), from Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós, “magical”), from μάγος (mágos, “magus”). Ultimately from Old Iranian, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂gʰ- (“to be able to, to help; power, sorcerer”). Displaced Old English ġealdor (whence Middle English galder) and dwimmer.
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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.
Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.