: god of happiness and contentment in Japanese mythology traditionally equated with Pu-tai or the "Laughing Buddha"

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hotei was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hotei.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hotei. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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