magic

magic — noun

IPA/ˈmædʒɪk/
KK[mˈædʒɪk]IPA/ˈmædʒɪk/

1. The practice of using secret words, spells, or rituals that are believed to cont

1.nounB1
Definition

The practice of using secret words, spells, or rituals that are believed to control nature or produce results that seem impossible.

Example

In the old legend, the witch used magic to turn a prince into a swan.

use + magic + to-infinitive for purpose

Maeve read books about ancient magic and learned to read the stars for signs.

Common collocations
  • black magic
  • white magic
  • folk magic
  • use magic
  • perform magic
  • practice magic
  • magic spell
  • magic charm
Synonyms
  • sorcery

    more specific to evil or harmful supernatural practices, often in fantasy settings

  • witchcraft

    specifically refers to magic practised by witches, often with a negative connotation in historical contexts

  • the occult

    formal term for hidden supernatural knowledge and practices, usually in religious or academic discussion

Antonyms
  • science

    knowledge based on observable, repeatable evidence rather than supernatural forces

Grammar Patterns

use + magic + to-infinitive

magic + that-clause

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense — do not say 'a magic' when referring to supernatural practices. Frequently modified by adjectives like 'black', 'white', 'folk', or 'ancient'.

Common Mistakes

She performed a magic on the stage.
She performed magic on the stage.
'magic' as supernatural power is uncountable and does not take 'a'.

2. A type of stage performance in which a person uses quick hand movements and hidd

2.nounA2
Definition

A type of stage performance in which a person uses quick hand movements and hidden objects to create illusions that seem to go against what is physically possible.

Example

Christopher learned a magic trick where a coin disappears inside a closed fist.

learn a magic trick — common collocation

Gita watched a magician perform magic on stage at her seventh birthday party.

perform magic — verb-noun collocation

Common collocations
  • magic trick
  • perform magic
  • do magic
  • stage magic
  • close-up magic
  • magic show
  • magician
Synonyms
  • illusion

    a specific trick or effect created by a magician, often called a 'magic illusion'

  • conjuring

    formal or old-fashioned term for performing magic tricks, especially with cards or coins

  • sleight of hand

    refers specifically to tricks done with quick hand movements, not large stage props

Grammar Patterns

do + magic

perform + magic

learn + magic + trick

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (SUPERNATURAL POWER): this sense refers to entertainment tricks only, not real supernatural belief. The phrase 'a magic trick' is countable even though 'magic' itself is uncountable.

Common Mistakes

The magician did a magic on my birthday.
The magician performed magic at my birthday party.
When referring to the general art, do not use 'a magic'. Use 'a magic trick' if referring to one specific performance.

3. A special, attractive quality that makes a person, place, moment, or experience

3.nounB1
Definition

A special, attractive quality that makes a person, place, moment, or experience feel wonderful and different from ordinary life.

Example

There is a certain magic about the old town when street lamps glow at dusk.

there is a certain magic about — fixed expression

Amira felt the concert's magic as the crowd sang along under the stars.

Common collocations
  • the magic of
  • a certain magic
  • lose its magic
  • capture the magic
  • magic of the moment
  • special magic
Synonyms
  • charm

    a pleasant, attractive quality that draws people in; slightly less strong than 'magic'

  • enchantment

    a feeling of being completely delighted and captivated, like under a spell

  • allure

    a mysterious and exciting attraction, often with a hint of danger or the unknown

Antonyms
  • ordinariness

    the state of being completely normal and unremarkable

  • dullness

    lack of interest or excitement

Grammar Patterns

there is + a certain + magic + about

the magic of + noun

lose + possessive + magic

Usage Note

Often used with possessive adjectives ('its magic', 'their magic') or in the phrase 'the magic of + noun'. Not used to describe physical objects themselves — it describes the feeling or atmosphere they create.

Common Mistakes

The restaurant has a magic.
The restaurant has a certain magic about it.
This sense requires 'a certain' or 'the magic of' phrasing; 'a magic' alone sounds unnatural.
Idioms

magic — adjective

IPA/ˈmædʒ.ɪk/
KK[mˈædʒɪk]IPA/ˈmædʒ.ɪk/

magic — exclamation

IPA/ˈmædʒ.ɪk/
KK[mˈædʒɪk]IPA/ˈmædʒ.ɪk/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

All five words describe an attractive quality that makes someone or something feel special, but they differ in strength and focus. 'Magic' (noun/3) emphasises a wonderful, almost unexplainable quality — the feeling that an experience is extraordinary, like 'the magic of a starry night'. 'Charm' is softer and more personal, referring to a pleasant, likable quality that draws people in, such as 'the charm of a small village'. 'Enchantment' suggests being completely captivated as if under a spell, with a stronger, more emotional pull — 'the enchantment of falling in love for the first time'. 'Allure' carries a hint of mystery and sometimes danger; it is the power of attraction that is hard to resist, like 'the allure of a forbidden city'. 'Spell' is more specific: it can mean the captivating effect someone or something has on you ('under the spell of her voice'), but it is more commonly used for actual magic in fantasy contexts. For everyday use, 'magic' is the broadest and most common choice; 'charm' is gentler; 'enchantment' is more intense; 'allure' is more mysterious; and 'spell' works best metaphorically for a strong, short-term fascination.

magic ↗charm ↗enchantment ↗allure ↗spell ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • magic trick
  • magic show
  • magic wand
  • magic carpet
  • magic mirror
  • magic potion
  • magic spell
  • magic word
  • magic formula
  • magic solution
  • magic cure
  • magic bullet

Adverbs

  • like magic
  • absolutely magic
  • almost like magic

Phrases

  • like magic
  • work like magic
  • the magic of
  • no magic solution
  • catch the magic
  • pure magic

Prepositions

  • magic about
  • magic of

Etymology

Old PersianGreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'magic' entered English from Old French 'magique', which came from Latin 'magicus' (magical, relating to magic). The Latin term was borrowed from Greek 'magikos' (μαγικός), meaning 'of the Magi' — referring to the priestly caste of ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) who were skilled in astrology and secret religious rituals. The Greek word 'magos' (μάγος) itself came from Old Persian 'maguš', the title for a Zoroastrian priest. So the journey of this word traces a path from Persian priests, through Greek and Roman cultures, into French, and finally into English — originally referring to a specific group of religious experts, and later broadening to mean any practice involving mysterious or supernatural powers.

First known use

14th century

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