il mago
magician
Definition & meaning
Mago means magician, wizard, or sorcerer: someone believed to possess magical powers. It can also refer to a performer who entertains people with magic tricks.
Figuratively, it describes someone exceptionally skilled at something: “a wizard” or “a whiz.”
Grammar & Word origin
A masculine noun: singular mago, plural maghi. The feminine forms are maga and maghe .
It comes from Latin magus, ultimately from Greek mágos, originally referring to a Persian priest or wise man. In religious contexts, the plural Magi refers to the Wise Men who visited the infant Jesus.
Synonyms & antonyms
- stregone — a sorcerer or warlock, often associated with spells or dark magic.
- illusionista — an illusionist; specifically a performer of tricks rather than someone with supernatural powers.
- prestigiatore — a conjurer or stage magician, emphasizing skill in performing tricks.
- esperto — an expert; a more neutral alternative to the figurative sense of mago.
There is no direct antonym covering all senses. In the figurative sense, principiante (“beginner”) can provide a contrast.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “mago” part of your vocabulary.
Build your Italian vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Il mago mostra un trucco con le carte.noun
The magician shows a trick with the cards.
Keep exploring Italian
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad