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.”
noun
1
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."
2
Bad luck, or a person or thing believed to cause it.
"The old sailors said the ship was a hoodoo."
3
A tall, thin column of rock left standing by erosion, common in dry badlands.
"The park is famous for its towering red hoodoos."
verb
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a folk-magic tradition, bad luck/a jinx, or a rock spire shaped by erosion.
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Word forms
- Plural
- hoodoos
- Third person singular
- hoodoos
- Past tense
- hoodooed
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 →Related words
Rhymes for hoodoo
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.
