Harry Potter·Boggart-Banishing Charm
Riddikulus
A charm used to turn a frightening Boggart into something amusing.
Continuity / Version: Harry Potter Book Continuity · Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Original illustration inspired by the spell’s fictional effect
AI-generated illustration · Spelling SpellsEvery letter matters
How to spell it
Exact spelling: Riddikulus. Spaces and letter order are part of the entry.
The words behind the wonder
Meaning & use
Fictional Effect: Gives a Boggart a comic form so laughter can make it disappear.
Lupin teaches the charm in his class. Rowling's account explains that the caster laughs at the changed Boggart to make it disappear. The described target is a Boggart; this entry does not generalize the charm to unrelated creatures.
Where the word comes from
Language & etymology
Unconfirmed etymologyEtymology has not been independently established for this entry.
Confirmed means a source identifies the origin. Suggested means an interpretation is plausible but is marked as such. Unconfirmed means an origin has not been established here.
Follow the story
Sources & references
Story / series: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
One more page
Harry Potter · Spell
Lumos
LOO-mos · Approximate
Fictional Setting · Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore
Harry Potter novels; also depicted in the film adaptations
Produces a light at the wand tip that remains useful for exploring dark places until extinguished with Nox.
Harry Potter · Spell
Alohomora
uh-loh-huh-MOR-uh · Approximate
Fictional Setting · Hermione Granger
Harry Potter novels; the cited scene is from Philosopher’s Stone
Unlocks a locked door, allowing the caster to open it; the cited example is Hermione’s escape into the forbidden third-floor corridor.
Harry Potter · Spell
Wingardium Leviosa
win-GAR-dee-um leh-vee-OH-suh · Approximate
Fictional Setting · Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger
Harry Potter novels; the cited lesson is from Philosopher’s Stone
Raises an object into the air. Ron uses the charm on a mountain troll’s club after learning it in Professor Flitwick’s class.
