magic
gb/mˈæd͡ʒɪk/ us/mˈæd͡ʒɪk/
A2
English
~ 2300
mágia, bűvészet, bűvésztrükk, varázs, csoda, csodát tesz
NOUN
A2
1
mágia
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] uses magic to [do something impossible]
The magician used magic to make the rabbit disappear.
A varázsló mágiával tüntette el a nyulat.
In the story, the hero defeats the dragon with the help of magic.
A történetben a hős a mágia segítségével győzi le a sárkányt.
Some people believe that magic can heal illnesses.
Learner examples
She uses magic to make the cup move.
Mágiával mozgatja meg a csészét.
He learns magic from an old man.
Egy öregembertől tanul mágiát.
The book is about a boy with magic.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'magic' (the supernatural power) with 'magician' (the person who performs tricks).
Meaning
Use of supernatural powers
Collocations
do magic
|practice magic
|magic spell
|black magic
|magic trick
Synonyms
sorcery (Often implies darker or more ritualistic supernatural practices.)
|
wizardry (Suggests skillful magical acts, often in fantasy contexts.)
Antonyms
science (Contrasts with supernatural explanations by relying on natural laws and evidence.)
Themes
fantasy
|entertainment
|beliefs
|religion
|arts_entertainment
Definition
The power to do things that seem impossible by using special or secret forces.
The use of mysterious or supernatural powers to make things happen that would normally be impossible.
NOUN
A2
2
bűvészet
B2
bűvésztrükk
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] performs magic for [an audience]
We went to see a live magic show last night.
Tegnap este elmentünk megnézni egy élő bűvészműsort.
She amazed the children with her magic tricks.
Bűvésztrükkjeivel ámulatba ejtette a gyerekeket.
The magician's magic was so convincing that no one saw how it was done.
Learner examples
He does a magic trick with cards.
Kártyával mutat be egy bűvésztrükköt.
We watch a magic show at school.
Az iskolában bűvészműsort nézünk.
The man shows us some magic.
Meaning
Illusions for entertainment
Collocations
magic show
|magic trick
|perform magic
Synonyms
illusion (Focuses on the deceptive visual effect rather than the whole performance.)
|
conjuring (A formal term for performing tricks, especially with objects appearing or disappearing.)
Themes
entertainment
|performance
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Fun tricks that look like impossible things but are only clever actions to surprise people.
Tricks or illusions performed to entertain an audience, often by sleight of hand or visual effects.
NOUN
B1
3
varázs
B1
Usage pattern:
the magic of [something]
The movie captures the magic of childhood.
A film megragadja a gyermekkor varázsát.
There’s a certain magic about this old café.
Van valami különös varázsa ennek a régi kávézónak.
Traveling alone has its own magic.
Learner examples
I love the magic of summer nights.
Szeretem a nyári éjszakák varázsát.
This song has a special magic.
Ennek a dalnak különleges varázsa van.
We feel the magic of the city.
Meaning
Special delightful quality
Collocations
the magic of music
|holiday magic
|capture the magic
Synonyms
charm (Emphasizes pleasantness and attraction rather than wonder.)
|
allure (Suggests attraction, often with a hint of mystery.)
Antonyms
dullness (Lack of excitement or special quality.)
Themes
emotions
|aesthetics
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A special feeling or quality that makes something very nice or exciting.
A special, often indescribable quality that makes something particularly charming, exciting, or enjoyable.
B2
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
a magic [solution/word/formula]
There’s no magic solution to this problem.
Erre a problémára nincs varázsmegoldás.
The cream worked like a magic cure for my skin.
A krém szinte csodaszerként hatott a bőrömre.
He seems to have the magic touch with plants.
Learner examples
There is no magic way to learn fast.
Nincs varázsmódszer arra, hogy gyorsan tanuljunk.
This new tool is like magic for cleaning.
Ez az új eszköz szinte csodát tesz a takarításban.
He has a magic way with animals.
Meaning
Very effective like magic
Collocations
magic solution
|magic word
|magic formula
Synonyms
miraculous (Suggests an almost unbelievable level of success or recovery.)
Antonyms
ineffective (Fails to produce the desired result.)
Themes
problem-solving
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Working very well and quickly, like it was done by magic.
Extremely effective or successful, as if by supernatural power.
Grammar
Dictionary form
magic
IPA
GB/mˈæd͡ʒɪk/
US/mˈæd͡ʒɪk/
Syllables & stress
ma - gic (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ma)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: magic
Noun
- Base: magic
- Plural: magic, magics
Word family
Expressions
black magic
1/blˈæk mˈæd͡ʒɪk/
fixed phrase
Harmful supernatural power
Using special powers to hurt people or do bad things.
Examples
- The villagers feared she was practicing black magic.
- In the film, the villain uses black magic to control others.
like magic
1/lˈaɪk mˈæd͡ʒɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
Quick and effective result
Happening very fast and well, as if by magic.
Examples
- The stain disappeared like magic when I washed it.
- When she spoke, the children became quiet like magic.
movie magic
1/mˈuvi mˈæd͡ʒɪk/
fixed phrase
Film special effects and illusions
Special effects in movies that make amazing things look real.
Examples
- Through movie magic, dinosaurs walked across the screen.
- The battle scene was created entirely with movie magic.
the magic word(s)
1/ðə mˈæd͡ʒɪk wˈɚdz/
fixed phrase
informal
'Please' or other polite request word(s)
'Please' or another polite word you should say to be polite when asking for something.
Examples
- What's the magic word? — Please!
- He forgot the magic words and didn’t get any dessert.
work your magic
1/wˈɚk jˈʊɹ mˈæd͡ʒɪk/
idiom
informal
Use skill for good result
To use your special ability to make something good happen.
Examples
- Come on, chef, work your magic in the kitchen!
- She worked her magic on the project and finished it early.