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Magically

adv. joyful, hopeful literary

What it means

In a way that creates unusual wonder, beauty, or an apparently effortless result.

Reach for it when describing how a scene changes or how an effect seems to happen beyond ordinary expectation

The paper stars caught the light and glowed magically above the stage.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
playful
everyday
warm
professional
literary

  • playful

    as if by magic

    Suits an informal comparison to sudden transformation

    Careful The phrase is unsuitable where readers need the real mechanism explained.

  • everyday

    wonderfully

    Suits strong positive evaluation without an unreal quality

    Careful Wonderfully praises the result but does not suggest mystery or transformation.

  • warm

    beautifully

    Fits when grace or aesthetic quality can be named directly

    Careful Beautifully fits polished execution but may miss surprise and wonder.

  • warm

    delightfully

    Fits when the manner brings light, pleasant enjoyment

    Careful Delightfully is too gentle for an astonishing or uncanny effect.

  • warm

    miraculously

    Fits when an extremely unlikely welcome outcome is the point

    Careful Miraculously overstates an effect produced by visible skill or preparation.

  • professional

    effortlessly

    Fits when skill makes a difficult action appear easy

    Careful Effortlessly should not erase the preparation or labor behind the result.

  • literary

    enchantingly

    Fits when the manner is gently charming and attractive

    Careful Enchantingly is mannered and can sound affected in plain reporting.

  • literary

    mysteriously

    Fits when the cause is hidden or difficult to explain

    Careful Mysteriously can suggest suspicion and offers no promise of a positive effect.

Opposites 3

  • ordinarily
  • clumsily
  • predictably

Common phrases 3

  • appear magically

    Tiny reflections appeared magically whenever the sculpture turned.

  • glow magically

    At dusk, the pale stones glow magically beside the water.

  • magically transformed

    A wash of color magically transformed the rehearsal room.

Word family 1

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: AnotherFriendlyHuman, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated