voodoo

1 of 3

noun

voo·​doo ˈvü-(ˌ)dü 

plural voodoos

1

or less commonly vodou

vō-ˈdü 

: a religion that is derived from African polytheism and ancestor worship and is practiced chiefly in Haiti

2

a

: a person who deals in spells and necromancy

b(1)

: a sorcerer's spell : hex

(2)

: a hexed object : charm

voodoo

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or practicing voodoo

voodoo rituals

2

: based on highly improbable suppositions : extremely implausible or unrealistic

voodoo economics

voodoo

3 of 3

verb

voodooed; voodooing; voodoos

transitive verb

: to bewitch by or as if by means of voodoo : hex

Synonyms

Noun

• charmer
• conjurer
• conjuror
• enchanter
• mage
• Magian
• magician
• magus
• necromancer
• sorcerer
• voodooist
• witch
• wizard

Examples of voodoo in a Sentence

Noun

found a voodoo who was willing to put a hex on the man who had jilted her

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Zora was holding fast to Black folk ways of the South, including spirituality and voodoo. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024

At a time when scientific process gets painted as voodoo in certain political circles, there’s a meat-and-potatoes satisfaction to watching a film that makes straightforward problem-solving seem heroic. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Nebraska doesn't need a 'voodoo doll' to right last season's wrongs Plentiful leadership Robinson, center Ben Scott and safety Isaac Gifford represented Nebraska in Indianapolis last week, a nod from Rhule for their decisions to return at Nebraska over opportunities to get to the NFL. —Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024

The mother goes to a voodoo master who tries to perform a ‘cutting destiny’ ritual for the relationship. —Sara Merican, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2024

Verb

Despite his clearly enjoying killing people for personal reasons, the movie’s Kraven seems to think of himself as a kind of antihero, which voodoo practitioner Calypso (Ariana DeBose) rightfully clocks as a red flag. —Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 20 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Louisiana Creole voudou, probably from Ewe vódũ tutelary deity

First Known Use

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1880, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

voodoo

noun

voo·​doo

ˈvüd-ü

plural voodoos

1

: a religion that is based on African ancestor worship and practiced chiefly in Haiti

2

: a person who deals in spells and magic

voodoo adjective

Etymology

Noun

from Louisiana French voudou "voodoo"; of African origin