How to pronounce voodoo
Say it like VOO-doo. Voodoo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VOO).
- VOO
- doo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Voodoo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- dooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of voodoo
American and British speakers say voodoo in essentially the same way: /ˈvuˌdu/ in the US and /ˈvuːduː/ in the UK.
British respelling: VOO-doo.
What does voodoo mean?
- Any of a group of related religious practices found chiefly in and around the Caribbean, particularly in Haiti and Louisiana.
- The spiritual beliefs of the Ewe/Fon of West Africa, practiced chiefly in Benin and in the south of Togo.
- One who practices voodoo; a native sorcerer.
- To bewitch someone or something using voodoo“He claimed his neighbor had voodooed him.”
Where does voodoo come from?
From Louisiana Creole voudou, from Haitian Creole Vodou, from a West African language, such as Ewe vódũ (“deity, idol”), Fon vòdún (“fetish”) or the Kwa languages vodũ.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with voodoo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of voodoo.
Questions about saying voodoo
How do you pronounce voodoo?
Say VOO-doo. The American pronunciation is /ˈvuˌdu/. In British English it is /ˈvuːduː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in voodoo?
Voodoo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VOO). Broken into parts: VOO · doo.
Do Americans and Brits say voodoo the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈvuˌdu/ and the British form is /ˈvuːduː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.