hoodoo

1 of 2

noun

hoo·​doo ˈhü-(ˌ)dü How to pronounce hoodoo (audio)
plural hoodoos
1
: a body of practices of sympathetic magic traditional especially among African Americans in the southern U.S.
2
: a natural column of rock in western North America often in fantastic form
3
: something that brings bad luck
4
hoodooism noun

hoodoo

2 of 2

verb

hoodooed; hoodooing; hoodoos

transitive verb

: to cast a spell on
broadly : to bring bad luck to

Examples of hoodoo in a Sentence

Noun some economists have characterized the proposal as economic hoodoo that should be hooted down some hoodoo must be at work—I lost both sets of house keys
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Combine Queen’s Garden Trail with Navajo Loop Trail for a 3.5-mile loop that begins on the rim of the canyon, then drops into the belly, passing hoodoos, arches, and tall cliffs. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 19 Feb. 2025 Navajo Loop Distance: 1.3 miles Elevation change: 515 feet Offering up some of the best views of Thor’s Hammer (the most famous hoodoo in the park), the Navajo Loop begins and ends at Sunset Point. Emily Pennington, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2023
Verb
Take two days to experience the best of the Paunsaugunt Plateau’s hoodoo rock spires. Jonathan Olivier, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2022 It’s made with Agave de Cortes, King State espresso, hoodoo, and cinnamon. Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for hoodoo

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps alteration of voodoo

First Known Use

Noun

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hoodoo was in 1866

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Cite this Entry

“Hoodoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoodoo. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

hoodoo

noun
hoo·​doo
ˈhüd-ü
plural hoodoos
1
2
: something that brings bad luck
hoodoo verb
hoodooism
-ˌiz-əm
noun
Etymology

Noun

perhaps an altered form of voodoo

More from Merriam-Webster on hoodoo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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