mojo

[ moh-joh ]

noun

, plural mo·jos, mo·joes

1. an object, as an amulet or charm, that is believed to carry a magic spell.
2. the art or practice of casting magic spells; magic.
3. Informal.
   1. a seemingly magical personal charm, power, or influence over other people:

      He’s always a hit with the ladies when he gets his mojo working.

   2. exceptional ability, good luck, success, etc.:

      It seems like our team has finally gotten its mojo back.

   3. exceptional energy or power:

      Tracking back over the warm Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane regained its mojo and hit the Mississippi coast full force.

mojo

/ ˈməʊdʒəʊ /

noun

1. 1. an amulet, charm, or magic spell
   2. ( as modifier )

      ancient mojo spells

2. the art of casting magic spells
3. uncanny personal power or influence

Word History and Origins

Origin of mojo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; compare Gullah moco “witchcraft, magic,” probably akin to Fulani moco'o “medicine man”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mojo¹

C20: of W African origin

Example Sentences

The chef was already familiar with mojo, an essential condiment and marinade in Cuban cuisine, but the Canarian mojo he tasted was different.

From Popular-Science

It also highlights Silverman’s special superpower, the ability to use her glow and an awwcomeonbuddy nudge to convert all sorts of nasty mojo.

From Washington Post

These proposed projects have all aimed to give us some extra mojo on the world stage, and most – but not all — have vanished without a trace.

From Voice of San Diego

Connect, network and shift your mobility mojo into overdrive.

From TechCrunch

With enough heat, however, random jostling would disrupt the atomic cooperation, explaining Curie’s observation that hot magnets lose their mojo.

From Quanta Magazine

So I look at the movies and actually see my mojo getting stronger and stronger.

From The Daily Beast

As it turns out, the Canadian-born comedian may have been taking a bit of an artistic break in order to get his mojo back.

From The Daily Beast

But during that lull period, were you concerned that Disney was losing its mojo?

From The Daily Beast

I gotta find out what the good luck mojo is, and that was one of the first things my dad ever taught me: Sports mojo.

From The Daily Beast

Democrats need to learn some of that balls-to-the-wall mojo.

From The Daily Beast

The mojo is a little mound consisting of onions and green peppers chopped very fine, and lemon juice added to the gravy.

From Project Gutenberg

If you want the steak a la espanola, it should be fried instead of broiled, and when well done each piece surmounted by a mojo.

From Project Gutenberg

He would often call his sisters my children (mojo dzieci), out of tenderness, and add some playful affectionate expressions.

From Project Gutenberg

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