haole

[ hou-lee, -ley ]

/ ˈhaʊ li, -leɪ /

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noun Sometimes Disparaging.

(among Polynesian Hawaiians) a term used to refer to a non-Polynesian, especially a white person.

(among Hawaiians) a term formerly used to refer to any foreigner.

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Origin of haole

1835–45; <Hawaiian: white person, (earlier) foreigner, foreign

usage note for haole

Haole is usually considered to be a neutral descriptive term. However, it is sometimes used with disparaging intent, arising from a distrust of foreigners or outsiders.

Words nearby haole

hanuman, Han Wu Ti, Hanyang, Han Yü, hao, haole, haoma, haori, hap, hapa, hapai

How to use haole in a sentence

The defense claims that Elderts used the term “haole”—a derogatory Hawaiian term for white people— before the fight broke out.
State Department Murder Suspect Chris Deedy Was a Benghazi Security Agent|Josh Rogin|July 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Hapa-haole,” was the answer; “he was a half-caste, you know, and we of the Islands have to think about our children.
The House of Pride|Jack London
So it befell at last that he was recommended to a Haole in Beritania Street.
Island Nights' Entertainments|Robert Louis Stevenson
But he did not know it, nor did anybody else guess it except that cursed hapa-haole, Stephen Kaluna.
The House of Pride|Jack London

An anecdote of this transition period is found in a book written by one who styled himself simply Haole (a foreigner).
The Spell of the Hawaiian Islands and the Philippines|Isabel Anderson
At the word, the young Haole of Beritania Street reeled against the wall.
Island Nights' Entertainments|Robert Louis Stevenson