[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/magic/)

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# magic

noun (magic — uncountable); adjective (magic, magical); verb (magic away — informal, UK)

«magic» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. In stories, a special power to make impossible things happen, using spells, wands or charms. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#m1)
2. Tricks that seem impossible, done by a magician using skill and hiding things (illusions). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#m2)
3. A special, wonderful quality that makes something exciting or delightful (the magic of Christmas). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#m3)
4. (informal, UK) Great, excellent (That's magic!). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#m4)
5. Magic words: «please» and «thank you», in children's talk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#m5)

### In the lessons

In stories and fairy tales, magic drives the plot: wizards, witches, fairies. In real life, «magic tricks» are illusions — the magician uses sleight of hand and misdirection; science explains why our eyes and brains are fooled. In maths, magic squares are grids where every row, column and diagonal adds to the same number. In media literacy: there is no real magic cure or magic pill. Phrases: magic trick, magic wand, as if by magic, the magic words, magic square, work like magic.

### Examples

- The wizard used magic to turn the frog into a prince. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#x1)
- My uncle did a magic trick and pulled a coin from my ear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#x2)
- Magic tricks are illusions, not real magic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#x3)
- In a magic square, every row adds up to the same number. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#x4)
- What's the magic word? — Please! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#x5)
- The cream worked like magic on my sunburn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#x6)
- There's no magic pill that makes you clever without studying. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#x7)
- Spring brings a special kind of magic to the garden. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/#x8)

### Note

«Magic» as an adjective: magic carpet, magic trick; «magical» = full of wonder (a magical day). A person who does tricks is a magician. In stories magic is make-believe; adverts that promise «magic» results are usually exaggerating.

## In Jewish tradition

In stories and fairy tales, magic drives the plot: wizards, witches, fairies. In real life, «magic tricks» are illusions — the magician uses sleight of hand and misdirection; science explains why our eyes and brains are fooled. In maths, magic squares are grids where every row, column and diagonal adds to the same number. In media literacy: there is no real magic cure or magic pill. Phrases: magic trick, magic wand, as if by magic, the magic words, magic square, work like magic.

### Examples

- These unmeaning sounds, they said, have magic power. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/magic/#x1)

### Note

«Magic» as an adjective: magic carpet, magic trick; «magical» = full of wonder (a magical day). A person who does tricks is a magician. In stories magic is make-believe; adverts that promise «magic» results are usually exaggerating.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «magic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/magic/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«magic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/magic.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «magic» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/magic/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«magic» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/magic.html) on Mova free.