mojo
mojo Lexical Profile
mojo Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A quality of personal magnetism, charm, confidence, or talent that brings success or makes a person appealing.
"After winning the championship game, the veteran quarterback felt he had finally gotten his mojo back."
American A magic charm, talisman, or spell, especially a small flannel bag containing magical items worn in hoodoo tradition to draw luck or ward off evil.
"In classic blues lyrics, the singer often boasts of carrying a powerful mojo to win a lover's heart."
A traditional sauce or marinade originating in the Canary Islands and popular in Cuban and Caribbean cuisine, typically made with olive oil, garlic, citrus juice (such as sour orange), and herbs or spices.
"The roasted pork shoulder was marinated overnight in a tangy garlic and sour-orange mojo."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to personal charm or a magic amulet, "mojo" is pronounced /ˈmoʊdʒoʊ/; when referring to the Hispanic garlic-and-citrus sauce, it is often pronounced /ˈmoʊhoʊ/ following Spanish phonology.
• Rhymes for mojo
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
In its sense of magic or personal magnetism, the word entered American English in the early 20th century from Louisiana Creole or Gullah moco, of West African origin (compare Fula moco'o, "medicine man"). The culinary sense is an unrelated borrowing from Spanish mojo, derived from Portuguese molho ("sauce"), ultimately from Latin mollire ("to soften").