From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmagicma‧gic1 /ˈmædʒɪk/ ●●● S3 W3 noun [uncountable] 1 MAGICthe power to make impossible things happen by saying special words or doing special actions Do you believe in magic? → black magic, white magic2 ATTRACTa special, attractive, or exciting quality Paris has lost some of its magic for me over the years.magic of the magic of Christmas3 APthe skill of doing tricks that look like magic in order to entertain people, or the tricks that are done SYN conjuring4 → like magic/as if by magic5 → work/weave your magic6 → work like magicCOLLOCATIONSverbsdo magicIn the story, the children are not allowed to do magic out of school.work magic (=do magic)What do you expect me to do? I can’t work magic!use magicBy using magic, he can order the ghost of any dead person to be his servant.adjectivesblack magic (=intended to harm people)The candles had been used for black magic.ancient magicThe place seemed full of shadows and ancient magic.strong/powerful magicHer fingers moved to make the sign that protected against strong magic. THESAURUSmagic noun [uncountable] the power to make impossible things happen, by saying special words or doing special actionsIn the story, she uses magic to turn him into a frog.Local people believe that he can heal wounds and illnesses using magic.witchcraft noun [uncountable] the use of magic, usually to do bad thingsHundreds of women were accused of witchcraft in the 1600s.spell noun [countable] a special set of words or actions that are used to make something happen by magica magic spellAn evil witch cast a spell on him (=said a special set of words or did a special series of actions, in order to make something happen to someone by magic), turning him into a beast.curse (also hex American English) noun [countable] something that makes someone or something have bad luckThe house seemed to have a curse on it.People believed the pharaoh would put a curse on (=use magic to make them have bad luck)anyone who broke into the tomb.She believed her former husband had put a hex on her.the occult mysterious powers and events that involve magic and spiritsHe was very interested in the occult.voodoo noun [uncountable] magical beliefs and practices used as a form of religiona voodoo curseIn Haiti, the people still practice voodoo.
Examples from the Corpus
magic• Christmas has a magic that appeals to young and old.• The club features juggling and magic acts in addition to stand-up comedy.• Am I then a child of miracle and magic?• Angela clapped her hands and the cats disappeared as if by magic.• a wizard who can do magic• He saw a little boy doing magic.• WEAPONS/ARMOUR: The Supreme Patriarch carries a sword but wears no armour as this would compromise his magic.• Lawmakers could really use some of his magic about now.• Harry Potter continues to spin his magic, doubling publisher Bloomsbury's profits to $ 8m.• Be sure to wrap your storytelling in magic and mystery.• an evening of magic and comedy• We only have limited knowledge about the practice of magic in the Middle Ages.• But would they hold the same magic for our 20-month-old daughter, Alexandra?• Not your weasel-faced tame magic, but root-and-branch magic, the old magic.lost ... magic• A child's birthday seems to have lost its magic and has just become another consumer oriented status symbol.• In short, he's lost his magic.magicmagic2 ●●● S3 W3 adjective 1 [only before noun]MAGIC in stories, a magic word or object has special powers that make the person using it able to do impossible things a book of magic spells a magic sword2 relating to the skill of doing tricks to entertain people His best magic trick is sawing a lady in half.3 → magic number/word4 → the magic word5 → magic touch6 → magic moment7 → magic circle8 British English spokenGOOD/EXCELLENT very good or very enjoyable SYN great ‘Did you have a good time?’ ‘Yeah, it was magic!’Examples from the Corpus
magic• When I was a kid and television arrived, it was magic.• a magic act• Brien has no magic formula for success, other than lots of practice.• This is either some magic geometry of which I know nothing or it is a happy coincidence.• They make a delightful, spontaneously spellbound audience, to whom one could show history unfolding as if with a magic lantern.• As a dowry to this marriage of heaven and hell, Lilith brings a magic mirror, a crown and a pearl.• The head of the Old Man and a magic moment.• No magic moments at the Manor.• The branch grew into a tree that had magic powers.• In the window there was a magic ship inside a bottle.• No magic wand exists that can be waved once and for all to end injustice.• The magic words had been uttered.• Medea said the magic words that would bring her lover back to her.magic spells• Mermaids, magic spells and a giant with a wart on his nose.• The Tzarina does not use the colour magic spells or any of the spell decks in Warhammer Battle Magic.magic trick• David Blaine's dazzling magic tricks..• I used to practice magic tricks.• He performs magic tricks and is everything that three women want.• The party bags can contain one or two little magic tricks or puzzles.• This is an old magic trick which entails some preparation.magicmagic3 verb (magicked, magicking) British English → magic somebody/something away → magic something ↔ up→ See Verb tableOrigin magic1 (1300-1400) French magique, from Latin magice, from Greek magike, from magos “person with magic powers” 