# mag

/ˈmæɡ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mag
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. magazine

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short, informal word for a magazine.

For teachers: a clipping of magazine, used in informal registers to refer to periodical publications.

- I bought a fashion mag at the airport to read during the flight.
- The editor decided to relaunch the indie mag as a digital-only platform to save on rising print and distribution costs.

### 2. magnitude

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a measure of how bright a star or planet is.

For teachers: a clipping of magnitude, specifically referring to the brightness of a celestial object on a logarithmic scale.

- The star has a mag of 2.5, making it easy to see with the naked eye.
- Astronomers noted that the supernova reached a peak mag of -4.0, briefly outshining every other object in the night sky except the moon.

### 3. car wheel

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a type of expensive, shiny metal wheel on a car.

For teachers: an ellipsis of 'mag wheel', referring to automotive wheels originally made from magnesium alloy, now used for various alloy wheels.

- He spent all his savings on a new set of mags for his car.
- The vintage sports car was restored to its original glory, complete with polished mags and period-correct racing tyres.

### 4. magnesium

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a short name for the metal magnesium, often used in car parts or science.

For teachers: a clipping of magnesium, frequently used in industrial, automotive, or chemical contexts.

- The engine block is made of a mag alloy to keep the weight down.
- The laboratory technician ordered a fresh supply of mag ribbon for the undergraduate combustion experiments.

## Examples

- I bought a fashion mag at the airport.
- She spent the whole afternoon flipping through a glossy travel mag to find inspiration for her next vacation.
- While digital subscriptions are rising, many collectors still prefer the tactile experience of a physical mag, citing the paper quality and layout as essential to the reading experience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.