ukulele

noun

uku·​le·​le ˌyü-kə-ˈlā-lē 

ˌü-

variants or less commonly ukelele

: a small guitar of Portuguese origin popularized in Hawaii in the 1880s and strung typically with four strings

Illustration of ukulele

Examples of ukulele in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to running a hula school, Maka conducts ukulele lessons at several Kaua’i resorts and is available for private ukelele lessons at [phone]. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

The King's night at the theater came just one day after he was spotted picking up a ukulele and beginning to play alongside the Loughries Men's Shed during a May 21 visit to Ards Allotments in County Down, Northern Ireland. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026

Wailea Beach Resort leaves cards on your bedside table noting the Hawaiian Word of the Day (mahalo, ohana, ho’omau), and offers ukuleles for strumming in the lobby. —Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 14 May 2026

The on-site cultural center, Hale Kukuna, provides insight into Hawaiian history through artifacts, instruments, and hands-on classes like lei making and ukulele lessons. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian ʽukulele, from ʽuku flea + lele jumping

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ukulele

• israeli
• bailee
• bailie
• baily
• daily
• gaily
• gayly
• scaly

Kids Definition

ukulele

noun

uku·​le·​le

ˌyü-kə-ˈlā-lē, 

ˌü-

: a usually four-stringed small guitar popularized in Hawaii

Etymology

from Hawaiian ʽukulele "ukulele," literally, "jumping flea," from ʽuku "flea" + lele "jumping"

Word Origin

In the 19th century, a former British army officer named Edward Purvis lived in Hawaii as an official at the royal court. Purvis is said to have been given the Hawaiian nickname of ʽukulele, which means "jumping flea," because he was small and lively. In 1879 Portuguese immigrants arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. They brought several of their native instruments, among them a small four-stringed guitar. Purvis liked this new instrument. He quickly learned to play it. In time the small guitar became a favorite, and it took the nickname of the man who had made it popular.