magic
mag·ic/ˈmæd͡ʒɪk/noun, adjective, verb
magic is spelled M-A-G-I-C: 5 letters and 2 syllables (mag·ic). It appears 58 times per million words in written English, the 1,793rd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). People search “magic vs magick” about 720 times a month (Google, United States). As a noun, magic means “The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces…” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of magic is magics.
How many letters and syllables are in magic?
| Letters | 5: M-A-G-I-C |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: mag·ic |
| In writing | 58 times per million words; the 1,793rd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Pairs people search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); Bing searches in the United States: the average month from September 2025 to August 2026 (Microsoft Advertising keyword data through DataForSEO, read September 30, 2026).
How common is magic?
Magic appears 58 times per million words in written English, the 1,793rd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce magic?
- UK /ˈmad͡ʒɪk/
- US /ˈmæd͡ʒɪk/
Magic has 2 syllables, split mag·ic in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-magic.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with magic
Word pairs people search, with the monthly searches for “a vs b” (G: Google, B: Bing, United States).
Also written: magick.
Sources: Google and Bing searches (September 2025 to August 2026, through DataForSEO); English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
Forms of magic
- magics plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- magick
- magicking participle, present
- magicked participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does magic mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them.
“My magic will help you find true love,” said the witch as she looked for the right herbs in her collection.
- 2
The supernatural forces which are drawn on in such a ritual.
- 3
rareA specific ritual or procedure associated with such magic; a spell; a magical ability.
- 4
The ability to cast a magic spell.
I learned a new magic after rescuing the tree fairy.
- 5
Something producing successful and remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; exceptional skill.
- 6
slangComplicated or esoteric code that is not expected to be generally understood.
- 7
The art or practice of performing conjuring tricks and illusions to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers.
- 8
One such conjuring trick or illusion.
adjective
- 1
Having supernatural talents, properties or qualities attributed to magic.
a magic wand
- 2
Producing extraordinary results, as though through the use of magic.
a magic moment
- 3
Pertaining to conjuring tricks or illusions performed for entertainment etc.
a magic show
- 4
colloquialGreat; excellent.
I cleaned up the flat while you were out. –Really? Magic!
- 5
Describing the number of nucleons in a particularly stable isotopic nucleus; 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, and 184.
- 6
Being a literal number or string value with no meaning or context, not defined as a constant or variable
The code is full of magic numbers and we can't figure out what they mean.
verb
- 1
To produce, transform (something), (as if) by magic.
noun
- 1
Initialism of magnetism-based interaction capture.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Magic in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | magie , magique |
| German | Zauberei, Zauber, Magie, Hexerei , magisch |
| Portuguese | magia, mágica , mágico |
| Spanish | magia |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.