rhizoverbBeta
DictionarygenieWish-granting spirit
noun

genie

JEE-nee/ˈdʒiːni/

A magical spirit in stories that can grant wishes.

The genie rises from the lamp and conjures a chest of treasure.

A friendly, translucent blue genie rises from a small brass lamp in a curling smoke tail, conjuring an open chest of gold with a sparkling hand gesture. Beside the lamp, a delighted traveler reaches toward the newly appeared treasure. Plain background, bold silhouettes, and no lettering keep the single scene clear at 340×255.
Etymology
genieLatinguardian spirit

The “guardian spirit” word was applied to spirits in the Arabian Nights because it happened to resemble Arabic jinni. That accidental resemblance helped establish the magical-spirit sense.

In context

Allie Beth Stuckey8:31
… the genie in the bottle that's going to grant me my three wishes if I do things the right way
The Bible Isn’t About You | Guest: Tara-Leigh Cobble | Ep 993

More examples

  • The story's genie tested the boy's honesty.
  • A trapped genie asked for its freedom.
  • Several genies competed in the fantasy tale.

Forms

genie · genies

Similar words

spirit
A much broader supernatural being, not necessarily a wish-granter.
jinn
Jinn refers to a broader religious or folkloric class, not necessarily wish-granting beings.