I. ma ‧ gic 1 W3 /ˈmædʒɪk/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ magic , ↑ magician ; adjective : ↑ magic , ↑ magical ; adverb : ↑ magically ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: French ; Origin: magique , from Latin magice , from Greek magike , from magos 'person with magic powers' ]
1 . the power to make impossible things happen by saying special words or doing special actions:
Do you believe in magic?
⇨ ↑ black magic , ↑ white magic
2 . a special, attractive, or exciting quality:
Paris has lost some of its magic for me over the years.
magic of
the magic of Christmas
3 . the skill of doing tricks that look like magic in order to entertain people, or the tricks that are done SYN conjuring
4 . like magic/as if by magic in a surprising way that seems impossible to explain:
As if by magic the waiter suddenly appeared with a tray of drinks.
5 . work/weave your magic if something or someone works or weaves their magic, they produce a good change or effect in a way that they are often able to do:
The warm weather and the beautiful scenery began to work their magic and she started to relax.
6 . work like magic to be very effective
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ do magic
In 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 magic
By using magic, he can order the ghost of any dead person to be his servant.
■ adjectives
▪ black magic (=intended to harm people)
The candles had been used for black magic.
▪ ancient magic
The place seemed full of shadows and ancient magic.
▪ strong/powerful magic
Her fingers moved to make the sign that protected against strong magic.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ magic noun [uncountable] the power to make impossible things happen, by saying special words or doing special actions:
In the story, she uses magic to turn him into a frog.
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Local people believe that he can heal wounds and illnesses using magic.
▪ witchcraft noun [uncountable] the use of magic, usually to do bad things:
Hundreds 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 magic:
a magic spell
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An 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 luck:
The house seemed to have a curse on it.
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People believed the pharaoh would put a curse on (=use magic to make them have bad luck) anyone who broke into the tomb.
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She believed her former husband had put a hex on her.
▪ the occult mysterious powers and events that involve magic and spirits:
He was very interested in the occult.
▪ voodoo noun [uncountable] magical beliefs and practices used as a form of religion:
a voodoo curse
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In Haiti, the people still practice voodoo.
II. magic 2 BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ magic , ↑ magician ; adjective : ↑ magic , ↑ magical ; adverb : ↑ magically ]
1 . [only before noun] 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 sword
2 . relating to the skill of doing tricks to entertain people:
His best magic trick is sawing a lady in half.
3 . magic number/word a number or word that is particularly important or desired in a particular situation:
The magic words ‘a million pounds’ will get everyone’s attention.
4 . the magic word the word ‘please’ – used when speaking to children:
What’s the magic word then, Katie?
5 . magic touch a special ability to make things work well or to make people happy:
She’s got a magic touch with babies.
6 . magic moment a short time which seems beautiful and special:
She didn’t want to spoil this magic moment.
7 . magic circle a group of powerful people who are friendly with each other and help each other:
His outspokenness denied him access to the magic circle and he was never given high office.
8 . British English spoken very good or very enjoyable SYN great :
‘Did you have a good time?’ ‘Yeah, it was magic!’
III. magic 3 BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle magicked , present participle magicking ) British English
magic somebody/something away phrasal verb
to make someone or something disappear or go somewhere by using magic:
I wish I could magic us away to a warm beach.
magic something ↔ up phrasal verb
to make something appear suddenly and unexpectedly