magic
gb/mˈæd͡ʒɪk/ us/mˈæd͡ʒɪk/
A2
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Use of supernatural powers
The power to do things that seem impossible by using special or secret forces.
Usage pattern:
[someone] uses magic to [do something impossible]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'magic' (the supernatural power) with 'magician' (the person who performs tricks).
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.)
Collocations
do magic
|practice magic
|magic spell
|black magic
|magic trick
Themes
fantasy
|entertainment
|beliefs
|religion
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The magician used magic to make the rabbit disappear.
- In the story, the hero defeats the dragon with the help of magic.
- Some people believe that magic can heal illnesses.
Learner examples
- She uses magic to make the cup move.
- He learns magic from an old man.
- The book is about a boy with magic.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Illusions for entertainment
Fun tricks that look like impossible things but are only clever actions to surprise people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] performs magic for [an audience]
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.)
Collocations
magic show
|magic trick
|perform magic
Themes
entertainment
|performance
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- We went to see a live magic show last night.
- She amazed the children with her magic tricks.
- The magician's magic was so convincing that no one saw how it was done.
Learner examples
- He does a magic trick with cards.
- We watch a magic show at school.
- The man shows us some magic.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Special delightful quality
A special feeling or quality that makes something very nice or exciting.
Usage pattern:
the magic of [something]
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.)
Collocations
the magic of music
|holiday magic
|capture the magic
Themes
emotions
|aesthetics
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The movie captures the magic of childhood.
- There’s a certain magic about this old café.
- Traveling alone has its own magic.
Learner examples
- I love the magic of summer nights.
- This song has a special magic.
- We feel the magic of the city.
adjective
informal
B2
property
4
Very effective like magic
Working very well and quickly, like it was done by magic.
Usage pattern:
a magic [solution/word/formula]
Synonyms
miraculous (Suggests an almost unbelievable level of success or recovery.)
Antonyms
ineffective (Fails to produce the desired result.)
Collocations
magic solution
|magic word
|magic formula
Themes
problem-solving
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There’s no magic solution to this problem.
- The cream worked like a magic cure for my skin.
- He seems to have the magic touch with plants.
Learner examples
- There is no magic way to learn fast.
- This new tool is like magic for cleaning.
- He has a magic way with animals.
Grammar
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.