mojo

[moh-joh]

See more synonyms for mojo on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural mo·jos, mo·joes.

the art or practice of casting magic spells; magic; voodoo.
an object, as an amulet or charm, that is believed to carry a magic spell.

Origin of mojo

1925–30, Americanism; compare Gullah moco witchcraft, magic, probably akin to Fulani moco'o medicine man (c represents voiced palatal stop)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for mojo

Contemporary Examples

So I look at the movies and actually see my mojo getting stronger and stronger.
‘No Regrets’: Peter Jackson Says Goodbye to Middle-Earth
Alex Suskind
December 4, 2014
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.
Mike Myers Has Been Painting Colonel Sanders…for Three Years
The Daily Beast
July 16, 2014
But during that lull period, were you concerned that Disney was losing its mojo?
The ‘Maleficent’ Screenwriter Also Wrote ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’
Kevin Fallon
June 1, 2014
I saw the first few episodes, and it seems like the show has its mojo back.
Alison Brie on ‘Community’s’ New Beginning, Dan Harmon’s Return, Nicolas Cage, and More
Marlow Stern
January 3, 2014
I have seen many prodigies lose their mojo around the time they reach their twentieth birthday.
Do Blues Musicians Need to be Really, Really Old?
Ted Gioia
September 22, 2013

Historical Examples

He would often call his sisters my children (mojo dzieci), out of tenderness, and add some playful affectionate expressions.
Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)
Moritz Karasowski
The mojo is a little mound consisting of onions and green peppers chopped very fine, and lemon juice added to the gravy.
Breakfasts and Teas
Paul Pierce
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.
Breakfasts and Teas
Paul Pierce

British Dictionary definitions for mojo

mojo

noun plural mojos or mojoes US slang

1. an amulet, charm, or magic spell
2. (as modifier)ancient mojo spells
the art of casting magic spells
uncanny personal power or influence

Word Origin

C20: of W African origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mojo

n.

"magic," 1920s, probably of Creole origin, cf. Gullah moco "witchcraft," Fula moco'o "medicine man."

mojo

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}mojo

Examples from the Web for mojo

Contemporary Examples

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

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.

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

I saw the first few episodes, and it seems like the show has its mojo back.

I have seen many prodigies lose their mojo around the time they reach their twentieth birthday.

Historical Examples

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

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

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.

mojo

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for mojo

n.

Origin of mojo