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noun

Ouija

WEED-zhuh

Ouija (noun) means a flat board printed with letters, numbers, and "yes"/"no," used with a small pointer during a séance in an attempt to receive messages from spirits. Example: “They gathered around the ouija board and asked it a question.”

noun
1
A flat board printed with letters, numbers, and "yes"/"no," used with a small pointer during a séance in an attempt to receive messages from spirits.
"They gathered around the ouija board and asked it a question."
"The horror movie opens with teenagers using a ouija board in an attic."

How to use Ouija

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA spirit board people use, often for fun or ritual, to try to "talk" to the dead.

Common pairings
a ouija board use a ouija board

Word forms

Ouijas plural

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Can you complete this real example?

They gathered around the _____ board and asked it a question.

Etymology

Contrary to the popular belief that it blends French oui and German ja (both meaning "yes"), the name reportedly came from a word the board itself spelled out when asked what it should be called, during an 1890s séance.

Origin: French · First attested 1890

Class of 1890 Ouija joined the language around 1890.
See the full Class of 1890 →

Rhymes for Ouija

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Ouija” mean?

The word “Ouija” means a flat board printed with letters, numbers, and "yes"/"no," used with a small pointer during a séance in an attempt to receive messages from spirits. In plain terms, a spirit board people use, often for fun or ritual, to try to "talk" to the dead.

How do you pronounce “Ouija”?

“Ouija” is pronounced WEED-zhuh (/ˈwiːd͡ʒə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Ouija” in a sentence?

Here is “Ouija” used in a sentence: “They gathered around the ouija board and asked it a question.”

What part of speech is “Ouija”?

“Ouija” is a noun.

Where does the word “Ouija” come from?

The word “Ouija” dates back to around 1890 and comes from French. Contrary to the popular belief that it blends French oui and German ja (both meaning "yes"), the name reportedly came from a word the board itself spelled out when asked what it should be called, during an 1890s séance.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial