hoodoo

[ hoo-doo ]

noun

, plural hoo·doos.

1. Hoodoo. African American folk magic practiced predominantly in the southeastern United States through rituals of protection, herbal medicine, charming of objects, and ancestor veneration. Compare Vodou ( def ), Voodoo ( def 1 ).
2. (in popular culture) bad luck, or a person or thing that brings bad luck.
3. Geology. a pillar of rock, usually of fantastic shape, left by erosion.

verb (used with object)

, hoo·dooed, hoo·doo·ing.

1. (in popular culture) to bring or cause bad luck to.

hoodoo

/ ˈhuːduː /

noun

1. a variant of voodoo
2. informal.
   a person or thing that brings bad luck
3. informal.
   bad luck
4. (in the western US and Canada) a strangely shaped column of rock

verb

1. informal.
   tr to bring bad luck to

Derived Forms

• ˈhoodooism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoodoo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; apparently a variant of Voodoo

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoodoo¹

C19: variant of voodoo

Example Sentences

She was superb against an off-colour Swiatek earlier in the week to put her quarter-final hoodoo behind her - but she started terribly against Muchova, much to the shock of the crowd.

From BBC

She claimed a stunning win over Swiatek in the quarter-finals, barely letting up in intensity and returning serve solidly to end her last-four hoodoo.

From BBC

Nicco Annan, who plays the fabulous strip-club proprietor Uncle Clifford on “P-Valley,” tours the South in this documentary series; a publicity release promises visits to “sex workshops, rap performances, and ancient hoodoo rituals.”

From New York Times

However, if they can end that hoodoo at the CBS Arena and secure a third success in four games, Coventry will climb back into the play-off positions at Hull’s expense.

From BBC

Though we hustled through the park for Re’s sake, I found the hills of spindly hoodoo spires quite hypnotizing.

From Los Angeles Times