English Words Starting With M

• maggot

  nounC1
  /ˈmaɡət/A soft-bodied, legless larva of a fly or other insect, often found in decaying matter.
• maghemite

  nounC2 / Specialist
  /maɡˈhiːmaɪt/A magnetic iron oxide mineral that is the ferric equivalent of magnetite, with the chemical formula γ-Fe₂O₃.
• magherafelt

  nounLow
  /ˌmækərəˈfɛlt/A town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
• maghreb

  nounC2
  /ˈmʌɡ.rəb/A region of northwest Africa comprising the modern countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and sometimes Libya and Mauritania.
• maghrebi

  adjectivenounLow
  /məˈɡrɛbi/An adjective relating to the Maghreb, the region of Northwest Africa comprising Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and sometimes Mauritania and Western Sahara.
• magi

  plural-nounC2
  /ˈmeɪdʒaɪ/The members of a priestly caste in ancient Persia, known for their knowledge of astrology and occult wisdom. In Christian tradition, specifically the wise men from the East who brought gifts to the infant Jesus.
• magic

  adjectivenounverbverb-transitiveB1
  /ˈmadʒɪk/the supposed art or practice of using supernatural forces to influence events or produce illusions.
• magic bullet

  nounC1
  /ˌmædʒɪk ˈbʊlɪt/A simple, single solution to a complex problem, especially one that works instantly and effectively.
• magic carpet

  nounC1
  /ˌmædʒ.ɪk ˈkɑː.pɪt/A legendary carpet that can fly, typically from Middle Eastern folk tales like those in the Arabian Nights, and can transport people instantly.
• magic circle

  nounC1
  /ˈmædʒɪk ˈsɜːkl̩/A circle drawn, marked, or imagined on the ground or in the air to create a sacred, protected, or ritual space, often to contain magical forces or to exclude dangerous ones.
• magic eye

  nounLow
  /ˈmædʒ.ɪk aɪ/A hidden image within a pattern that becomes visible only when the viewer unfocuses their eyes or looks 'through' the image in a specific way.
• magic lantern

  nounLow
  /ˌmædʒ.ɪk ˈlæn.tən/An early type of image projector that used a light source and lenses to project painted or photographic slides onto a wall or screen.
• magic mountain, the

  nounC2
  /ˌmædʒ.ɪk ˈmaʊn.tɪn, ðə/A proper noun referring to the title of Thomas Mann's 1924 novel (Der Zauberberg in German).
• magic mushroom

  nounC1
  /ˈmadʒɪk ˈmʌʃrʊm/A mushroom containing psychoactive compounds, most notably psilocybin, that cause hallucinations and altered states of consciousness when ingested.
• magic number

  nounB2
  /ˈmadʒɪk ˈnʌmbə/A specific number that, when reached, triggers a significant, often desired, outcome or change in a system, process, or situation.
• magic realism

  nounC2
  /ˈmadʒɪk ˈrɪəlɪz(ə)m/A literary or artistic genre in which realistic narrative and naturalistic technique are combined with surreal elements of dream, fantasy, or myth.
• magic square

  nounC1
  /ˌmædʒ.ɪk ˈskweər/A square array of distinct numbers, typically positive integers, arranged such that the sum of the numbers in each row, each column, and both main diagonals is the same constant.
• magic wand

  nounB1
  /ˌmædʒɪk ˈwɒnd/A stick or rod that is waved to perform magic or make things happen, typically in fairy tales and fantasy.
• magical thinking

  nounC1/C2
  /ˈmædʒɪk(ə)l ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/The irrational belief that one's thoughts, words, or actions can directly influence events in the physical world in a way that defies normal cause and effect.
• magician

  nounB1
  /məˈdʒɪʃ.ən/A person who performs magic tricks for entertainment.

Showing 401–420 of 8594 words.