noun

hoodoo

HOO-doo

Hoodoo (noun) means a folk-magic tradition developed by enslaved and later free African Americans, blending African spiritual practices with other influences. Example: “Her grandmother taught her old hoodoo remedies passed down through the family.”

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noun

A folk-magic tradition developed by enslaved and later free African Americans, blending African spiritual practices with other influences.

"Her grandmother taught her old hoodoo remedies passed down through the family."

Bad luck, or a person or thing believed to cause it.

"The old sailors said the ship was a hoodoo."

A tall, thin column of rock left standing by erosion, common in dry badlands.

"The park is famous for its towering red hoodoos."

verb

To bring bad luck to someone; to jinx.

"He joked that the broken mirror had hoodooed the whole trip."

How to use hoodoo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDepending on context: a folk-magic tradition, bad luck/a jinx, or a rock spire shaped by erosion.

Easily confused with

voodoo →

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

hoodooed past tense, hoodoos plural, hoodoos singular

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Fill the gap

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Her grandmother taught her old _____ remedies passed down through the family.

Etymology

Believed to be an altered form of "voodoo."

Synonyms

View more →

fetish voodoo juju fetich

Related words

fetish voodoo fetich juju kink

Rhymes for hoodoo

oo too moo poo loo foo doo boo woo roo coo goo

See all rhymes for hoodoo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hoodoo” mean?

The word “hoodoo” means a folk-magic tradition developed by enslaved and later free African Americans, blending African spiritual practices with other influences. In plain terms, depending on context: a folk-magic tradition, bad luck/a jinx, or a rock spire shaped by erosion.

How do you pronounce “hoodoo”?

“Hoodoo” is pronounced HOO-doo (/ˈhudu/ in IPA).

How do you use “hoodoo” in a sentence?

Here is “hoodoo” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother taught her old hoodoo remedies passed down through the family.”

What part of speech is “hoodoo”?

Depending on how it is used, “hoodoo” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “hoodoo” have?

“Hoodoo” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a folk-magic tradition developed by enslaved and later free African Americans, blending African spiritual practices with other influences.

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