noun
wendigo
WEHN-dih-goh
Wendigo (noun) means a monstrous, cannibalistic spirit from Algonquian folklore, said to possess and corrupt those who commit acts of cannibalism or extreme greed. Example: “The horror novel drew on wendigo legends from Ojibwe folklore.”
noun
1
A monstrous, cannibalistic spirit from Algonquian folklore, said to possess and corrupt those who commit acts of cannibalism or extreme greed.
"The horror novel drew on wendigo legends from Ojibwe folklore."
"Campers swapped scary stories about the wendigo said to roam the northern forests."
How to use wendigo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA terrifying cannibal spirit from Indigenous North American folklore, now common in horror fiction.
Common pairings
wendigo legend
wendigo myth
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Word forms
- Plural
- wendigos, wendigoes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The horror novel drew on _____ legends from Ojibwe folklore.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ojibwe wiindigoo, ultimately from a Proto-Algonquian word connected to owls and malevolent, cannibalistic spirits.
Rhymes for wendigo
See all rhymes for wendigo →Frequently asked questions
What does “wendigo” mean?
The word “wendigo” means a monstrous, cannibalistic spirit from Algonquian folklore, said to possess and corrupt those who commit acts of cannibalism or extreme greed. In plain terms, a terrifying cannibal spirit from Indigenous North American folklore, now common in horror fiction.
How do you pronounce “wendigo”?
“Wendigo” is pronounced WEHN-dih-goh (/ˈwɛndiɡoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wendigo” in a sentence?
Here is “wendigo” used in a sentence: “The horror novel drew on wendigo legends from Ojibwe folklore.”
What part of speech is “wendigo”?
“Wendigo” is a noun.
