kahuna
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of kahuna
Borrowed into English from Hawaiian around 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the big kahuna of consumer deflation is electronics.
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2024
Still, there were others: The heart-tugging “CODA” had a great night, winning best supporting actor, best adapted screenplay and the big kahuna, best picture, ending the ceremony on an ebullient note.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 28, 2022
The Rebate Project, though, is the big kahuna.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2021
Golf's upper echelon is lush with firepower and a compelling argument can be made for a number of players as the current big kahuna.
From Golf Digest • Nov. 6, 2018
I bet the kahuna would have punished Brandon.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
