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

Specialty pizzas include hamburger pizza, barbecue chicken, variations of meat-lovers, pesto chicken, alfredo meatball with bacon and Hawaiian. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2025

In an advisory posted at 11 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time on Aug. 3, the hurricane center said the storm was located about 835 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph with higher gusts. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025

The story of the unification of the Hawaiian Islands in the 1700s is brought to life with incredible precision — and an enormous production budget that can be seen on the screen. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025

Last year, Alaska Airlines merged with Hawaiian Airlines. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Hawaiian

• Hawaiian goose
• Hawaiian guitar
• Hawaiian shirt

Rhymes for Hawaiian

• ixion
• orion
• procyon
• visayan
• amphitryon
• dandelion
• heian
• ion
• lion
• mayan
• scion

Kids 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