mojo

[moh-joh]

noun

plural

mojos, mojoes 

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

He looked like he had a bit of his mojo back and that's really fired him now, and then he got his goal and off to the races.

From BBC

Once the linchpin of the high-tech boom of the 1990s, Intel has plainly lost its mojo.

From Los Angeles Times

But, as a retired optometrist, I would like to recommend a complete eye examination to find his mojo again.

From Los Angeles Times

“Now that would never happen. And in 2017 it wasn’t really, until the Virginia governor’s election that … Democrats kind of got their mojo back.”

From Salon

Fantastic Four: First Steps is helping Marvel to "get its mojo back", according to most early reviews of the new superhero reboot.

From BBC

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