mojo

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable) A magic spell or hex.
2. (countable) An object (such as a charm or amulet) used to cast magic spells, especially in hoodoo.
3. (uncountable) Spellcraft, hoodoo.
4. (countable, informal, uncountable) Supernatural skill; exceptional luck, success, or power.
5. (countable, slang, uncountable) Personal magnetism; charm; that which makes one successful and liked, viewed as an inherent power that can be present or absent.
6. (countable, slang, uncountable) Sex appeal; sex drive.
7. (countable, slang, uncountable) An illegal drug, especially morphine or other narcotics.
8. (countable, slang, uncountable, usually) A telecopier; a fax machine.

Verb

1. (informal, transitive) To cast a magic spell on or jinx (someone).
2. (informal, transitive) To annoy or bother (someone).

Synonyms

charm

amulet

talisman

spell

juju

hex

magic

🪄

Translations

amulette

Talisman

Sexappeal

Glücksbringer

sexuelle Anziehungskraft

erotische Anziehungskraft

φυλαχτό

porte-bonheur

talisman

sex appeal

appeal

amulet

bekoring

talisman

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈmoʊd͡ʒoʊ/

Etymology

Cognate with Spanish: mojar

In summary

Probably of Creole origin, cognate with Gullah moco (“witchcraft”), Fula moco'o (“medicine man”). The origin of the drug sense is uncertain, possibly related to Spanish mojar (“to toast (celebrate with a drink)”).