abracadabra

[ˌabɹəkəˈdabɹə]
[ˌæ.bɹə.kəˈdæ.bɹə]
German
Persian
Russian
Spanish

Abacadaabra is an expression used to perform magic tricks or pretend that something magical is happening.

You've probably heard this word when someone is making something appear out of thin air or disappearing before your eyes. For example, a magician might say "abracadabra" and then produce a rabbit from a hat. This phrase has been around for so long that it's not clear where exactly it came from, but its origins are likely connected to ancient magic spells and incantations. The idea is that the words themselves have some kind of magical power, making the impossible seem possible.

How common is "abracadabra"?

Word abracadabra is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

noun

  • A use of the mystical term ‘abracadabra’, supposed to work as part of a healing charm or a magical spell; any spell or incantation making use of the word.

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interjection

  • Used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed.

hey presto

Real examples of "abracadabra" in context

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