hula

noun

hu·​la ˈhü-lə 

variants or less commonly hula-hula

ˌhü-lə-ˈhü-lə 

: a sinuous Polynesian dance characterized by rhythmic movement of the hips and mimetic gestures with the hands and often accompanied by chants and rhythmic drumming

Did you know?

A sinuous Polynesian dance, the hula combines undulating movement of the hips and mimetic hand gestures. The dance is often accompanied by chants, drumming, and music played on instruments such as the ukulele. Originally a religious dance performed to praise the chiefs, contemporary hulas tell a story or describe a place, and are danced exclusively by women. The costume typically includes a raffia skirt with a lei (garland) around the neck.

Examples of hula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This makeover movie stays pretty true to the original and revolves around Lilo (Maia Kealoha), a six-year-old, hula-loving Hawaiian surfer girl who adopts a furry blue alien creature named Stitch, who was created as a biological weapon. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2025

The generation that twirled the first plastic hula hoops and dressed up the first Barbie dolls, embraced the TV age, blissed out at Woodstock and protested the Vietnam War — the cohort that didn’t trust anyone over age 30 — now is contributing to the overall aging of America. —Mike Schneider, Fortune, 23 Dec. 2025

Basic Hula Hoop Pump This exercise requires the use of a hula hoop. —Health Editorial Team, Health, 20 Dec. 2025

The star lost 70 pounds in 2013, partly by hula-hooping. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hula

• beulah
• chula
• gula
• kula
• ula
• betula
• blastula
• fistula
• radula
• regula
• scrofula
• campanula

Kids Definition

hula

noun

hu·​la ˈhü-lə 

variants or hula-hula

ˌhü-lə-ˈhü-lə

: a Polynesian dance composed of slow rhythmic body movements usually accompanied by chants and drumming

Etymology

from Hawaiian (Indigenous language of Hawaii)