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

In real life, Laveau was a herbalist, midwife, and Voodoo practitioner in New Orleans, and Tituba was an enslaved Native American woman (not a Black voodoo practitioner as she is often wrongfully depicted). —Ivana Rihter, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2024

New Orleans, Louisiana Known for its supernatural roots and connection to voodoo, New Orleans takes Halloween celebrations to the next level. —Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024

Adjective

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

Plus, Jodie Turner-Smith is positively entrancing as a voodoo priestess whose ancient curses might flip this entire story on its head. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 13 Aug. 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