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

When the movie ended, the sound of a ukulele playing could be heard in the theater. —Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026

For Jessica Brustad, the delivery of the ukuleles was a full circle moment after her mom had spent more than a month caring for her and her family in Seattle. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

This year’s collaboration with Fender reinforces their passion for music by gifting guests the Acoustasonic Telecaster and ukuleles, paired with a year of online lessons. —Wendy O'Dea, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2025

There are plenty of local businesses including an adorable ukulele shop that sells the real deal, and Tahiti Nui, which throws its hat in the ring for best Kauai mai tai. —Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025

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.