wahine

[ wah-hee-nee, -ney ]

noun

, plural wa·hi·ne.

1. (in Hawaii and Polynesia) a girl or young woman.
2. Slang. a young woman surfer.

wahine

/ wɑːˈhiːnɪ /

noun

1. (esp in the Pacific islands) a Polynesian or Māori woman, esp a girlfriend or wife

Word History and Origins

Origin of wahine¹

Borrowed into English from Polynesian around 1835–45

Word History and Origins

Origin of wahine¹

C19: from Māori and Hawaiian

Example Sentences

The more usual word would be “kupuna”, for respected elder, and in the case of a grandmother, “kupuna wahine.”

From The Daily Beast

Kiha-wahine went to Poliahu, but could not fill the water-jar.

From Project Gutenberg

This was the Alii-wahine-o-ka-malu (the queen of shadows), dwelling in the moon.

From Project Gutenberg

Hiiaka was accompanied by Wahine-oma'o--the woman in green--a woman as beautiful as herself.

From Project Gutenberg

He inquired for the wahine haole (foreign woman), and presented his bit of wood, saying that he would sell it for a dollar.

From Project Gutenberg

Ounauna saw her passing back and forth, and said, "What are you seeking, O Kiha-wahine?"

From Project Gutenberg