magical
13 synonyms and 7 antonyms for magical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to or produced by magic.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use magical
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From magic + the adjective-forming suffix -al.
Full origin of magical →Frequently asked questions
What does “magical” mean?
The word “magical” means relating to or produced by magic. In plain terms, either literally related to magic, or figuratively describing something delightfully special.
How do you pronounce “magical”?
“Magical” is pronounced MAJ-ih-kuhl (/ˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “magical” in a sentence?
Here is “magical” used in a sentence: “The wizard cast a magical shield around the castle.”
What is another word for “magical”?
Words with a similar meaning to “magical” include mystic, mystical, numinous, sorcerous, sortilegious and thaumaturgic.
What is the opposite of “magical”?
The opposite of “magical” — its antonyms — are nonmystic, nonmagical, nonmystical, unmagical and unmystic.
What part of speech is “magical”?
“Magical” is an adjective.
Is “magical” a common word?
“Magical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “magical” have?
“Magical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or produced by magic.
What is the difference between 'magical' and 'magic' as adjectives?
Both can describe something relating to magic, and phrases like 'magic powers' and 'magical powers' overlap. However, 'magical' more readily carries the extended sense of wonderfully delightful or enchanting, as in 'a magical evening', where 'magic' would sound odd.
When should you use 'magical' instead of 'enchanting'?
Use 'magical' when you want to suggest either literal magic or a wonderfully delightful, almost dreamlike quality. 'Enchanting' focuses purely on charm and delight. A magical show might involve actual tricks, while an enchanting one is simply captivating.
What nouns commonly pair with 'magical'?
Common collocations include 'magical moment', 'magical experience', 'magical powers', 'magical creature', and 'magical kingdom'. The first two draw on the delightful, enchanting sense, while the others point to literal magic.