7 ADJ You can use expressions such as the magic number and the magic word to indicate that a number or word is the one which is significant or desirable in a particular situation. □ …their quest to gain the magic number of 270 electoral votes on Election Day.
8 ADJ [ADJ n, with neg] Magic is used in expressions such as there is no magic formula and there is no magic solution to say that someone will have to make an effort to solve a problem, because it will not solve itself. □ There is no magic formula for producing winning products.
9 ADJ If you say that something is magic , you think it is very good or enjoyable. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ It was magic–one of the best days of my life.
magi|cal /mæ dʒ I k ə l/
1 ADJ Something that is magical seems to use magic or to be able to produce magic. □ …the story of Sin-Sin, a little boy who has magical powers. ● magi|cal|ly /mæ dʒ I kli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ …the story of a young boy's adventures after he is magically transported through the cinema screen.
2 ADJ You can say that a place or object is magical when it has a special mysterious quality that makes it seem wonderful and exciting. □ The beautiful island of Cyprus is a magical place to get married.
ma g|ic bu l|let (magic bullets )
1 N‑COUNT In medicine, a magic bullet is a drug or treatment that can cure a disease quickly and completely.
2 N‑COUNT A magic bullet is an easy solution to a difficult problem. [INFORMAL ] □ A lot of people are looking for some sort of magic bullet that will solve this problem.
ma g|ic ca r|pet (magic carpets ) N‑COUNT In stories, a magic carpet is a special carpet that can carry people through the air.
ma|gi|cian /mədʒ I ʃ ə n/ (magicians ) N‑COUNT A magician is a person who entertains people by doing magic tricks.
ma g|ic mu sh|room (magic mushrooms ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Magic mushrooms are a type of mushroom which contain a drug and may make the person who eats them believe they are seeing things which are not real.
ma g|ic re |al|ism also magical realism N‑UNCOUNT Magic realism is a style of writing or painting which sometimes describes dreams as though they were real, and real events as though they were dreams.
ma g|ic wa nd (magic wands )
1 N‑COUNT A magic wand or a wand is a long thin rod that magicians and fairies wave when they are performing tricks and magic.
2 N‑COUNT You use magic wand , especially in the expression there is no magic wand , to indicate that someone is dealing with a difficult problem which cannot be solved quickly and easily. □ There is no magic wand to secure a just peace. □ People can't expect him to just wave a magic wand.
mag|is|te|rial /mæ dʒ I st I ə ri ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's behaviour or work as magisterial , you mean that they show great authority or ability. [FORMAL ] □ …his magisterial voice and bearing. □ The Cambridge World History of Human Disease is a magisterial work.
mag|is|trate /mæ dʒ I stre I t/ (magistrates ) N‑COUNT A magistrate is an official who acts as a judge in law courts which deal with minor crimes or disputes.
mag|ma /mæ gmə/ N‑UNCOUNT Magma is molten rock that is formed in very hot conditions inside the earth. [TECHNICAL ] □ The volcano threw new showers of magma and ash into the air.
mag|na|nim|ity /mæ gnən I m I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Magnanimity is kindness and generosity towards someone, especially after defeating them or being treated badly by them. [FORMAL ] □ The father of one victim spoke with remarkable magnanimity.
mag|nani|mous /mægnæ n I məs/ ADJ If you are magnanimous , you behave kindly and generously towards someone, especially after defeating them or being treated badly by them. □ I was prepared to be magnanimous, prepared to feel compassion for him. ● mag|nani|mous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ 'You were right, and we were wrong,' he said magnanimously.
mag|nate /mæ gne I t/ (magnates ) N‑COUNT A magnate is someone who has earned a lot of money from a particular business or industry. □ …a multimillionaire shipping magnate.
mag|ne|sium /mægniː ziəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Magnesium is a light silvery-white metal which burns with a bright white flame.
mag|net /mæ gn I t/ (magnets )
1 N‑COUNT If you say that something is a magnet or is like a magnet , you mean that people are very attracted by it and want to go to it or look at it. □ [+ for ] Prospect Park, with its vast lake, is a magnet for all health freaks.
2 N‑COUNT A magnet is a piece of iron or other material which attracts iron towards it. □ …a fridge magnet.
mag|net|ic /mægne t I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something metal is magnetic , it acts like a magnet. □ …magnetic particles.
2 ADJ You use magnetic to describe something that is caused by or relates to the force of magnetism. □ The electrically charged gas particles are affected by magnetic forces. ● mag|neti|cal|ly /mægne t I kli/ ADV [ADV after v] □ …metal fragments held together magnetically.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use magnetic to describe tapes and other objects which have a coating of a magnetic substance and contain coded information that can be read by computers or other machines. □ …her magnetic strip ID card.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as magnetic , you mean that it is very attractive to people because it has unusual, powerful, and exciting qualities. □ London's creative reputation has had a magnetic effect.