lanai

¹ American  

[lah-nah-ee, luh-nahy] / lɑˈnɑ i, ləˈnaɪ /

noun

Hawaiian.

plural

lanais

1. a veranda, especially a fully furnished one used as a living room.

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Lanai ² American  

[lah-nah-ee, luh-nahy] / lɑˈnɑ i, ləˈnaɪ /

Or Lana'i

noun

1. an island in central Hawaii: no longer a globally commercial pineapple producer, but formerly the site of the world’s largest pineapple plantation. 141 sq. mi. (365 sq. km).

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Lanai ¹ British  

/ ləˈnaɪ, lɑːˈnɑːɪ /

noun

1. an island in central Hawaii, west of Maui island. Pop: 3193 (2000). Area: 363 sq km. (140 sq miles)

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lanai ² British  

/ lɑːˈnɑːɪ, ləˈnaɪ /

noun

1. a Hawaiian word for veranda

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Etymology

Origin of lanai

First recorded in 1865–70; from Hawaiian lānai ”roofed structure with open sides, porch”

Explanation

If you're sitting on a covered veranda or porch that's attached to a house — especially if you happen to be in Hawaii — you're lucky enough to be lounging on a lanai. A lanai is a very common element in Hawaiian homes and buildings; in fact, many hotels and restaurants have more than one lanai. The original purpose of a lanai, which is simply an open-sided veranda with a roof, was to provide a cool spot for sitting and enjoying a shady breeze. Modern Hawaiian buildings sometimes have "enclosed lanais," which are glass-walled, air conditioned porches. As a proper noun, Lanai is the sixth-largest Hawaiian island.

Example Sentences

Butler, 70, and Chapin, 82, golf at the 18-hole course, ride bikes on winding trails and enjoy sunsets on their lanai.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

A husband and wife were watching a movie around 9 p.m. on June 15 when the wife heard noises from the pool lanai and observed someone she didn’t recognize on the pool deck, Gualtieri said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 27, 2023

An architect created drawings for a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, complete with energy-efficient appliances and a covered lanai.

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2022

The exotic exterior also add a cabana and lanai with hand-painted walls and a fireplace.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2022

Olly’s seated on the top rung of the railing on the lanai.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon