Hawaiian

American  

[huh-wahy-uhn, -wah-yuhn] / həˈwaɪ ən, -ˈwɑ yən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Hawaii or the Hawaiian Islands.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Hawaii or the Hawaiian Islands.

2. the aboriginal language of Hawaii, a Polynesian language.

Hawaiian British  

/ həˈwaɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Hawaii, its people, or their language

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Hawaii, esp one descended from Melanesian or Tahitian immigrants

2. a language of Hawaii belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family

Etymology

Origin of Hawaiian

First recorded in 1815–25; Hawaii + -an

Compare meaning

How does hawaiian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Polynesian vs. Hawaiian

Example Sentences

Couldn’t Jack Jr. have packed at least two Hawaiian shirts?

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles County cities Hawaiian Gardens, Commerce and Bell Gardens would be among the hardest-hit, as they rely heavily on casino tax revenue, Kirkland said in the letter.

From Los Angeles Times

The illness is caused by the generalist parasite Plasmodium relictum and has played a central role in the steep declines and extinctions of native Hawaiian honeycreepers.

From Science Daily

My forehead shines with sweat, and my cheeks are still pink from the Hawaiian sun.

From Literature

Iz was a Hawaiian singer who died years ago, but everyone—our grandparents, our parents, us—still loves him.

From Literature