Hoodoo Meaning in English

word

US

ˈhuːduː

HOO-doo

UK

hˈʊduː

HUD-oo

Definition

Hoodoo can refer to a traditional African American folk magic practice, or to a tall, thin rock formation shaped by erosion.

Usage & Nuances

As folk magic, 'hoodoo' is distinct from 'voodoo'—the first is American, the second Haitian/West African. As a geological term, it appears in contexts like 'Bryce Canyon is famous for its hoodoos.' Informal use can also mean 'bad luck' (as in 'hoodooed'). Context makes the meaning clear.

• Spanish: hechicería (afroamericana) - pilar rocoso (formación geológica)
• Portuguese (BR): magia popular (afro-americana) - chaminé de fada (formação geológica)
• Portuguese (PT): magia popular (afro-americana) - chaminé de fada (formação geológica)
• Chinese (Simplified): 胡都教（非裔美國民間信仰）- 石柱（地貌）
• Chinese (Traditional): 胡都教（非裔美國民間信仰）- 石柱（地貌）
• Hindi: हूडू (अफ्रीकी-अमेरिकी लोकजादू) - पत्थर का खंभा (भू-आकृति)
• Arabic: هودو (سحر شعبي أفريقي أمريكي) - عمود صخري (تشكيل جيولوجي)
• Bengali: হুডু (লোকজ জাদুবিদ্যা) - উঁচু পাথরের স্তম্ভ (ভূতত্ত্ব)
• Russian: гуду (народная магия) - худу (скальное образование)
• Japanese: フードゥー（民間呪術） - フードゥー岩（地形）
• Vietnamese: hoodoo (bùa chú dân gian) - trụ đá tự nhiên (địa chất)
• Korean: 후두(민속 마법) - 후두 암석 기둥(지질)
• Turkish: hoodoo (halk büyüsü) - peri bacası (jeoloji)
• Urdu: ہوڈو (عوامی جادو) - عجیب لمبا پتھر (ارضیات)
• Indonesian: hoodoo (sihir rakyat) - pilar batu runcing (geologi)

Example Sentences

Some people believe in the power of hoodoo.

basic

We saw a tall hoodoo in the desert.

basic

He thinks hoodoo can bring good luck.

basic

Bryce Canyon is famous for its colorful hoodoos.

natural

He joked that someone put a hoodoo on his car because it keeps breaking down.

natural

Exploring the desert, we found a field of strange hoodoos jutting out of the landscape.

natural