noun
abracadabra
ab-ruh-kuh-DAB-ruh
noun
1
A magic word traditionally chanted as part of a spell or charm.
"The old charm was said to work only if you whispered abracadabra three times."
2
Confusing, jargon-heavy talk that sounds like nonsense to an outsider.
"The contract was full of legal abracadabra I couldn't follow."
intj
1
Said dramatically to mark the moment a magic trick is complete.
"The magician waved his wand and shouted, "Abracadabra!""
How to Use Abracadabra
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe classic magic word used in spells and stage magic — and, by extension, a name for confusing jargon.
Common pairings
say abracadabra
legal abracadabra
Word Forms
abracadabras plural
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The old charm was said to work only if you whispered _____ three times.
Etymology
Borrowed straight from Late Latin abracadabra, a word whose earlier origins are murky, historically believed to carry protective magical power when written or spoken.