whammy

wham·my

noun \ˈhwa-mē, ˈwa-\

plural whammies

Definition of WHAMMY

1

a : a supernatural power bringing bad luck b : a magic curse or spell : jinx, hex

2

: a potent force or attack; specifically : a paralyzing or lethal blow

Examples of WHAMMY

1. <if you tell anyone about this, I swear I'll put the whammy on you>
2. <put the whammy on herself by publicly predicting that she would win the tennis tournament>

Origin of WHAMMY

probably from ¹wham

First Known Use: 1940

Related to WHAMMY

Synonyms: abracadabra, bewitchment, charm, conjuration, enchantment, glamour (also glamor), hex, incantation, invocation, spell

Related Words: cantrip [chiefly Scottish], curse, jinx; bewitchery, conjuring, magic, mojo, necromancy, sorcery, voodoo, voodooism, witchcraft, witchery, wizardry; amulet, charm, fetish (also fetich), phylactery, talisman

Near Antonyms: amulet, charm, fetish (also fetich), talisman

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with WHAMMY

chamois, clammy, gammy, Grammy, hammy, jammy, mammy