abracadabra

Everyday

1. Abracadabra is a magic word said by magicians when they do a trick, as if it makes the magic happen. tree →
2. (informal) Abracadabra also means words that sound clever or mysterious but make no sense. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, shows and children's magic tricks, «Abracadabra!» is said with a wave of a wand before a rabbit comes out of a hat. In history, it was once written on charms in ancient Rome to protect against illness; it is a very old word. In everyday life, «it's all abracadabra to me» means I don't understand it. Phrases: «say abracadabra».

Examples

• «Abracadabra!» said the magician, and the coin vanished. tree →
• My little sister waved her wand and shouted «Abracadabra!» tree →
• At the party the magician pulled a rabbit from his hat after saying abracadabra. tree →
• Long ago, people wrote abracadabra on charms to keep sickness away. tree →
• The instructions were pure abracadabra to Grandad. tree →
• Saying abracadabra didn't make my homework disappear! tree →

Note

Not a real spell: magic tricks work by skill and clever hiding, not by words. Say «ab-ra-ka-DAB-ra». Nobody is sure where the word comes from.