tiki

noun

ti·​ki ˈtē-kē How to pronounce tiki (audio)
: a wood or stone image of a Polynesian supernatural power

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Entering through a door flanked by giant tiki statues, guests are greeted with welcoming booths, nautical accents and bartenders in Hawaiian shirts. Rebecca Treon, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023 With pink and green hues, tiki-esque décor, and palm fronds throughout, the space was practically made for Instagram. Kayla Webley Adler, ELLE, 24 Mar. 2023 The cafe, which looks like a giant tiki hut, gets its stone crab claws right off the boats, and traditionally, sponsors the St. Marks Stone Crab Festival. — Rochelle Koff, Tallahassee Table (Tallahassee Democrat) Star Fish Company 12306 46th Ave. Robyn George, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2023 Soak up the sun by the pool or in a beachfront cabana before splurging on a spa treatment, boarding one of the resort’s two floating tiki boats, or enjoying a sunset catamaran sailing. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2023 The iconic 1,200-seat restaurant, complete with its 30-foot tiki statue that keeps watch over Route 1, will soon be a memory. Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Feb. 2023 The bar itself is lovely, if a bit industrial, with a faint tiki vibe. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 17 Feb. 2023 Von Nukem was seen in two famous photos of the alt-right rally, wearing a black shirt in a large group of men chanting and holding tiki torches. Andy Rose, CNN, 16 Feb. 2023 For those looking to hit the water without having to do any of that aforementioned paddling work, the resort is offering the chance to hop aboard one of its floating tiki boats. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tiki.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Maori & Marquesan, from Tiki, first man or creator of first man

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tiki was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near tiki

Cite this Entry

“Tiki.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiki. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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