Voodoo is a form of religion involving magic which is practised by some people in the West Indies, especially Haiti.
voodoo in British English
(ˈvuːduː)
nounWord forms: plural-doos
1. Also called: voodooism
a religious cult involving witchcraft and communication by trance with ancestors and animistic deities, practised in Haiti and other Caribbean islands
2.
a person who practises voodoo
3.
a charm, spell, or fetish involved in voodoo worship and ritual
adjective
4.
relating to or associated with voodoo
verbWord forms: -doos, -dooing or -dooed
5. (transitive)
to affect by or as if by the power of voodoo
Derived forms
voodooist (ˈvoodooist)
noun
voodooistic (ˌvoodooˈistic)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from Louisiana French voudou, ultimately of West African origin; compare Ewe vodu guardian spirit
voodoo in American English
(ˈvuˌdu)
US
nounWord forms: pluralˈvooˌdoos
1.
a religion of the West Indies, esp. Haiti, based on beliefs and practices of African and Roman Catholic origin, and noted for its interest in sorcery, charms, and fetishes
2.
a person who practices voodoo
3.
a voodoo charm, fetish, curse, etc.
adjective
4.
of voodoos or voodooism
5. Informal
claimed or reputed to provide an ingenious or seemingly magical solution to a problem, but in reality of little value, effectiveness, etc.
voodoo economics, voodoo diet plans
verb transitive
6.
to affect by voodoo magic
Word origin
Creole Fr, of WAfr orig., as in Ewe (Dahomey and Togo) vodu, fetish, demon
Examples of 'voodoo' in a sentence
voodoo
The spell of these voodoo parts has me.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is the realm of voodoo and magic potions.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Almost the whole team piled around a table covered with spooky tarot cards and voodoo dolls.
The Sun (2012)
And do you know it's controlled by the voodoo religion?
Christianity Today (2000)
I think they might be powered by some kind of voodoo magic.
The Sun (2013)
MOST people would freak out at seeing their own voodoo doll.
The Sun (2014)
Have too many furious Labour MPs been sticking pins in their voodoo dolls of him?
The Sun (2008)
And what of the most mysterious object in the entire exhibition, the life-size figure or voodoo doll?