Hoodoo — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈhü-(ˌ)dü/ hoo·doo

Meaning & Definition of Hoodoo

Hoodoo (noun)

  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

Hoodoo (verb)

  1. to cast a spell on; broadly, to bring bad luck to

Hoodoo (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense

    "some economists have characterized the proposal as economic hoodoo that should be hooted down"

    similar: applesauce (slang), balderdash, baloney, beans, bilge, blah, blarney, blather, blatherskite, blither, bosh, bull (slang), bunk, bunkum, claptrap, codswallop (British), crapola (slang), crock, drivel, drool, fiddle, fiddle-faddle, fiddlesticks, flannel (British), flapdoodle, folderol, folly, foolishness, fudge, garbage, guff, hogwash, hokeypokey, hokum, hooey, horsefeathers (slang), humbug, humbuggery, jazz, malarkey, moonshine, muck, nerts (slang), nonsense, nuts, piffle, poppycock, punk, rot, rubbish, senselessness, silliness, slush, stupidity, taradiddle, tommyrot, tosh, trash, trumpery, twaddle
    related: absurdity, asininity, fatuity, foolery, idiocy, imbecility, inaneness, inanity, insanity, kookiness, lunacy, absurdness, craziness, madness, witlessness, hoity-toity, monkey business, monkeyshine(s), shenanigan(s), tomfoolery, gas, hot air, rigmarole, double-talk, greek, hocus-pocus
    near: levelheadedness, rationality, reasonability, reasonableness, sensibleness, common sense, horse sense, sense, discernment, judgment, wisdom

  2. something that brings bad luck

    "some hoodoo must be at work—I lost both sets of house keys"

    similar: hex, Indian sign (chiefly British), jinx, whammy
    related: Jonah, curse, evil eye, pox, spell, voodoo, augury, omen, portent
    near: amulet, charm, fetish, talisman

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hoodoo

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hoodoo:

Slang: applesauce, bull, crapola, horsefeathers, nerts
British: codswallop, flannel
Chiefly British: Indian sign
balderdash, baloney, beans, bilge, blah, blarney, blather, blatherskite, blither, bosh, bunk, bunkum, claptrap, crock, drivel, drool, fiddle, fiddle-faddle, fiddlesticks, flapdoodle, folderol, folly, foolishness, fudge, garbage, guff, hogwash, hokeypokey, hokum, hooey, humbug, humbuggery, jazz, malarkey, moonshine, muck, nonsense, nuts, piffle, poppycock

Related Words for Hoodoo

absurdity, asininity, fatuity, foolery, idiocy, imbecility, inaneness, inanity, insanity, kookiness, lunacy, absurdness, craziness, madness, witlessness, hoity-toity, monkey business, monkeyshine(s), shenanigan(s), tomfoolery, gas, hot air, rigmarole, double-talk, greek, hocus-pocus, Jonah, curse, evil eye, pox

Near Antonyms of Hoodoo

levelheadedness, rationality, reasonability, reasonableness, sensibleness, common sense, horse sense, sense, discernment, judgment, wisdom, amulet, charm, fetish, talisman

Word Forms of Hoodoo

Inflections: hoodoos, hoodooed, hoodooing

Derived words: hoodooism (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Hoodoo

perhaps alteration of voodoo

First known use: 1855

Frequently Asked Questions about Hoodoo

What does "Hoodoo" mean?

"Hoodoo" means a body of practices of sympathetic magic traditional especially among African Americans in the southern U.S.. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a body of practices of sympathetic magic traditional especially among African Americans in the southern U.S.. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hoodoo"?

Other words for "Hoodoo" include applesauce, balderdash, baloney, beans, bilge, blah, blarney and blather. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hoodoo" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hoodoo"?

There are 99 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hoodoo". Common alternatives include applesauce, balderdash, baloney, beans, bilge, blah, blarney, blather, blatherskite and blither.

What is a slang word for "Hoodoo"?

Slang words for "Hoodoo" include applesauce, bull, crapola, horsefeathers and nerts.

How do you use "Hoodoo" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hoodoo" in a sentence: "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".

Is "Hoodoo" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hoodoo" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Hoodoo"?

"Hoodoo" is pronounced /ˈhü-(ˌ)dü/ and divided into syllables as hoo·doo.

What is the origin of the word "Hoodoo"?

"Hoodoo" comes from perhaps alteration of voodoo. First known use: 1855.