a member of the Native Polynesian population of New Zealand.
a Polynesian language, the language of the Maoris.
a member of the people living in New Zealand and the Cook Islands since before the arrival of European settlers. They are descended from Polynesian voyagers who migrated in successive waves from the ninth century onwards
the language of this people, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Inevitably it will happen,” said Mike Tavioni, who runs a carving and arts workshop dedicated to preserving Cook Islands Maori life.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025
As was the case six years ago, the response to the traditional Maori challenge was the prelude to a memorable win -- just England's ninth in 47 Tests against the All Blacks spanning 120 years.
From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025
Not that it had much of an affect on Ireland's New Zealand-born winger Lowe, who started for the Maori All Blacks against the Lions in 2017.
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2025
Devin even gives her something he received from a Maori shaman during their first one-on-one date in New Zealand.
From Salon • Sep. 4, 2024
In the centuries after the two groups separated, they evolved in opposite directions, the North Island Maori developing more-complex and the Moriori less-complex technology and political organization.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
