Hawaiian
noun
Ha·wai·ian
hə-ˈwä-yən 
-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
Wednesday, June 25, Hawaiian Chicken, brown rice, corn, tropical fruit, milk.
—
Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
However, the company was careful not to lose the personality of the bright packaging that helps King’s Hawaiian stand out in bread aisles.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
Severe shaking, as defined by the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, was felt in places such as Long Beach, Lakewood, Paramount, Bellflower, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
The actress and producer is also known for her roles in Hawaiian Eye (1959) and To Rome with Love (1969).
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for Hawaiian
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Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
However, the company was careful not to lose the personality of the bright packaging that helps King’s Hawaiian stand out in bread aisles.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
Severe shaking, as defined by the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, was felt in places such as Long Beach, Lakewood, Paramount, Bellflower, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
The actress and producer is also known for her roles in Hawaiian Eye (1959) and To Rome with Love (1969).
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for Hawaiian
Cite this Entry
“Hawaiian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hawaiian. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Hawaiian
noun
Ha·wai·ian
hə-ˈwä-yən
-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
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