Maori

noun

Mao·​ri ˈmau̇(-ə)r-ē 

plural Maori or Maoris

1

: a member of a Polynesian people native to New Zealand

2

: the Polynesian language of the Maori people

Examples of Maori in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From imperial Chinese jadeite jewels to lethal Maori hatchets; from Mughal jewels to the world’s leading auction houses, jade embodies a beauty, toughness, value and history unlike that of any other gem material. — Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 7 May 2026

The cohort includes Alex Dimitrov, Caroline Monnet, Ligia Lewis, Maori Karmael Holmes, and Sky Hopinka. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

The all-ages show will showcase the songs and drumbeats of Tahiti alongside the dances of Hawai’i, Samoa and the Maori people of New Zealand. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026

The show has been co-curated by James Claiborne, Fleischner Family Vice President for Engagement at the Barnes, and Maori Karmael Holmes, Chief Executive and Artistic Officer of BlackStar Projects. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Maori māori, literally, normal, ordinary

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for Maori

• cowrie
• dowry
• floury
• lourie

Kids Definition

Maori

noun

Mao·​ri ˈmau̇(ə)r-ē 

plural Maori or Maoris

1

: a member of an Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand

2

: the language of the Maori