Many keywords summarize abilities or attributes which are sufficiently complex such that the full explanation would fill the 'rules text' area of the card the smaller, one- or two-word keywords allow cards to be printed with a number of complex abilities, yet still be easily readable by players.

Keywords are typically created to summarize abilities or other attributes which are reasonably common in an individual expansion, expansion block, or in the game as a whole. Since the release of Tenth Edition, however, premium (foil) cards in core sets no longer contain reminder text. Every keyword in a Core Set has reminder text. However, in certain sets some keywords are immediately followed by italicized, parenthesized text (known as 'reminder text') fully explaining the meaning behind the keyword.

These keywords are used in place of the full explanation of the attribute or ability, and are instead explained in detail in sections 701 and 702 of the Comprehensive Rules. A keyword in Magic: The Gathering is a word or phrase (usually one or two words) appearing on a card, used to indicate that the card possesses a certain attribute or ability. This is a list of keywords in the trading card game Magic: The Gathering.

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