Hawaiian

noun

Ha·​wai·​ian hə-ˈwä-yən How to pronounce Hawaiian (audio)
-ˈwī-(y)ən,
-ˈwȯ-yən
1
: a native or resident of Hawaii
especially : one of Polynesian ancestry

Note: In Hawaii, the word Hawaiian is understood as an ethnic designation for a native person of Polynesian descent, and its use in the more general sense "a resident of Hawaii" is considered an error.

2
: the Polynesian language of the Hawaiians
Hawaiian adjective

Examples of Hawaiian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This after-sun body butter from Hawaiian Tropic is made with coconut oil, shea butter, and avocado oil — a trifecta of moisturizers that offers 12 hours of hydration for your skin. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024 In 1779, the captain decided to wait out the winter in the Hawaiian Islands. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 And its natural acidity adds a zing to dessert recipes, like Pineapple Upside-Down Cake or and Baked Hawaiian Islands. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 11 Mar. 2024 The cafe is known for its iced matcha, vanilla lattes and breakfast sandwich sliders on King Hawaiian rolls. Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 This style, now known as Hawaiian Modern, is on display in the Liljestrand House, one of Oahu’s many historic homes — and one of the few that is open to visitors. Kristina Linnea Garcia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 Jean Allison, the familiar character actress who appeared on dozens of TV shows, from Have Gun — Will Travel, Bonanza, Hawaiian Eye and The Rifleman to McCloud, Adam-12, The Waltons and Highway to Heaven, has died. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Research has shown that female smokers and those who are Asian, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, LGBT, or who have mental health conditions also are more likely to smoke menthols. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines offer one free carry-on (and one personal item) regardless of your cabin class; meanwhile, JetBlue and United restrict basic economy ticket holders to one personal item. Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Hawaiian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hawaiian was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near Hawaiian

Cite this Entry

“Hawaiian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hawaiian. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Hawaiian

noun
Ha·​wai·​ian hə-ˈwä-yən How to pronounce Hawaiian (audio)
-ˈwī(y)ən,
-ˈwȯ-yən
1
: a person born or living in Hawaii
especially : one of Polynesian ancestry
2
: the Polynesian language of the Hawaiians
Hawaiian adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Hawaiian

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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