genie

noun

ge·​nie ˈjē-nē How to pronounce genie (audio)
plural genies also genii ˈjē-nē(-ˌī) How to pronounce genie (audio)
Synonyms of genie
1
: jinni sense 1
2
: a magic spirit believed to take human form and serve the person who calls it

Examples of genie in a Sentence

He rubbed the magic lamp to summon the genie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For the first time since the Second World War, wealthy Americans watched their tax rates plunge, unleashing a genie that, in time, would shake loose any remaining restrictions on American oligarchs’ wealth. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 Patrick Fussell, global head of adversary simulation at IBM, compared AI to a genie. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026 The generative genie is out of the bottle, and there’s no stuffing it back in. — ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 Eugenic ideas continue, like a dangerous genie released from its container and allowed to run rampant. — Kenny Fries, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for genie

Word History

Etymology

French génie, from Arabic jinnī

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of genie was in 1706

Rhymes for genie

See All Rhymes for genie

Browse Nearby Words

geniculate
genie
genio-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Genie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genie. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

genie

noun
ge·​nie ˈjē-nē How to pronounce genie (audio)
: a magic spirit believed to take human form and serve the person who calls it

More from Merriam-Webster on genie

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for genie

Nglish: Translation of genie for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genie

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