kahuna

[ kuh-hoo-nuh ]

/ kəˈhu nə /

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noun

(in Hawaii) a native medicine man or priest.

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Origin of kahuna

Borrowed into English from Hawaiian around 1885–90

Words nearby kahuna

Kahn, Kahn test, Kahoolawe, Kahramanmaraş, Kahului, kahuna, kai, kaiak, kaibab squirrel, Kaieteur, Kaieteur Falls

How to use kahuna in a sentence

Big Kahuna Burger is a fictional chain of Hawaiian-themed fast food burger joints out in Los Angeles dreamed up by Tarantino.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That Tarantino never opened a real-life Big Kahuna Burger out in L.A. seems like a huge missed opportunity.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Which brings us to The Expendables 3—the big kahuna of boarding.
Why ‘Boarding’ Is Ruining Movies: Padding Blockbusters With A-List Cameos|Marlow Stern|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
NBCC president John Freeman made the introduction: “And now to announce the big kahuna…” The crowd hissed.
Stoned in Manhattan|Jane Ciabattari|October 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST

When a Kanaka has endured an injury he hires a kahuna to pray his enemy to death.
Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate|Charles M. Skinner
The kahuna tells him that his conduct has displeased some god or goddess and that he must die.
Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate|Charles M. Skinner
The sacerdotal order had its origin in Paao, whose descendants have always been regarded as the Kahuna maoli.
Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands|Charles Nordhoff
The Kahunaanaana and the Kahunalapaau have never been considered as belonging to the high caste of Kahuna maoli.
Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands|Charles Nordhoff
The many known examples of their criminal use inclines us to believe that these kahuna were rather poisoners than magicians.
Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands|Charles Nordhoff