magic
B1Neutral to informal; technical register in fantasy/gaming contexts.
Definition
Meaning
the supposed art or practice of using supernatural forces to influence events or produce illusions.
A quality of being beautiful or delightful in a way that seems removed from everyday life; or a remarkable power or skill that produces impressive or seemingly impossible results.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions as a noun, adjective, and verb. The noun often refers to supernatural power, enchantment, or a special impressive quality. The adjective means 'produced by or as if by magic' or 'wonderful.' The verb means to make something disappear or happen by or as if by magic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling of related words: BrE 'magical,' 'magician' (no change). Usage largely identical. The phrase 'like magic' is common in both.
Connotations
Equally positive for wonder and delight. Slightly more historical/folkloric connotation in BrE (e.g., Arthurian legends).
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
There is a magic about/in [NOUN PHRASE][VERB] magic out of [NOUN PHRASE]magic [OBJECT] away/into existenceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “as if by magic”
- “work like magic”
- “the magic is gone”
- “magic bullet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphor for a simple, highly effective solution: 'They're looking for a magic bullet to boost sales.'
Academic
Used in anthropology, history, religious studies to describe ritual practices and belief systems.
Everyday
Describing wonderful experiences: 'The evening was pure magic.' Or for simple fixes: 'This cream works like magic on stains.'
Technical
In computing: 'magic number' (a constant value identifying a file format); in fantasy gaming: spell systems and character classes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He magicked a rabbit out of his hat.
- Can you magic up some extra chairs for the meeting?
American English
- She magicked the report into existence overnight.
- He magicked away all our doubts with his presentation.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb; 'magically' is standard.
- The scars magically faded after using the cream.
American English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb; 'magically' is standard.
- The crowd magically appeared from nowhere.
adjective
British English
- We had a magic evening by the lake.
- He has a magic touch with old engines.
American English
- The vacation had a magic quality.
- There's no magic formula for success.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children believed in magic.
- He did a magic trick with cards.
- The old book was full of stories about magic and wizards.
- There's no magic solution to learning a language; you must practise.
- The magician performed an incredible feat of illusion, making the statue vanish as if by magic.
- They hoped the new manager would work his magic on the struggling team.
- The director managed to capture the ineffable magic of the original play in her modern adaptation.
- Despite the scientists' meticulous explanations, a lingering sense of magic surrounded the ancient site.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MAG (a magazine) with a picture of a wizard on it - it's a MAGic magazine.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESSFUL ACTION IS MAGIC (e.g., 'He magically fixed the problem'), WONDER IS MAGIC (e.g., 'The city has a certain magic').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'magic' for 'волшебный' in every context; 'fairy-tale' or 'fantastic' might be more precise for atmosphere.
- Do not translate 'магия' as 'magic' in contexts of 'personal charm'—use 'charm' or 'allure'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'magic' as a countable noun (*'He did a magic'*) instead of 'a magic trick' or 'a bit of magic'.
- Confusing 'magic' (noun/adj.) with 'magical' (adj. only). 'Magical' is often preferred for describing a wonderful quality.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'magic' used as a technical term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Magic' is primarily a noun but can be an attributive adjective (e.g., magic trick, magic moment). 'Magical' is an adjective only and is often used for a pervasive quality of wonder or enchantment (e.g., a magical evening). They are often interchangeable in adjectival use, but 'magical' sounds more descriptive.
Yes, but it is informal. It means to make something happen or appear by or as if by magic (e.g., 'She magicked a feast out of the few ingredients in the cupboard'). The past tense is often 'magicked'.
It is generally an uncountable noun (e.g., 'the use of magic,' 'filled with magic'). You cannot say 'one magic, two magics.' However, in specific contexts like gaming, it can be countable to refer to spells or instances (e.g., 'He cast three different magics').
It is an idiom meaning a simple, quick, and sure solution to a very difficult problem, especially in medicine or complex social issues. It suggests a cure or fix that works as effectively as a magical spell.
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