abracadabra

interjection ah-brah-kah-dah-BRA Rare

Usage Note

Abracadabra is the classic magic-spell word used by conjurers and in children's play, identical in function to English 'abracadabra'. In French it can also be used sarcastically to suggest that something happened as if by inexplicable magic. The word's ultimate origin is debated — possibly Aramaic or Hebrew — but no confident etymology exists.

Examples

"Il dit 'abracadabra' et le lapin disparaît."

Natural Translation

He says 'abracadabra' and the rabbit disappears.

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