Polynesian
Americanadjective
noun
-
Polynesians
plural
-
a member of any of a number of peoples originating from and inhabiting Polynesia, and speaking closely related Austronesian languages.
-
the easternmost group of Austronesian languages, including Maori, Tahitian, Samoan, Hawaiian, and the language of Easter Island.
adjective
noun
-
a member of the people that inhabit Polynesia, generally of Caucasoid features with light skin and wavy hair
-
a branch of the Malayo-Polynesian family of languages, including Māori and Hawaiian and a number of other closely related languages of the S and central Pacific
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of Polynesian
First recorded in 1805–15; Polynesi(a) + -an
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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.
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When he was 15, he spent nearly three months living in Rapa Nui, one of the world’s most remote Polynesian islands.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
The painting will make its L.A. debut on Sept. 14 with a private Polynesian blessing ceremony where guests will experience the living cultural traditions of Tahiti through music, dance and food.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Meanwhile, the French Polynesian government said the woman had transited through without notifying "territorial and national authorities".
From BBC ● May 13, 2026
Scientists have since established that the degradation of the island was in fact gradual, taking centuries, caused largely by drought, volcanic eruptions and the arrival of the Polynesian rat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 20, 2026
Let’s examine the ranges of these factors, before considering their specific consequences for Polynesian societies.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Many of these changes occurred either before Polynesians arrived in Hawaiʻi or after traditional Indigenous land management practices were disrupted.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 14, 2026
Particularly marvelous are the voyages of the Polynesians who crossed the immense Pacific a thousand years ago in double-hulled canoes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026
In those days, Sapolu said a dearth of Polynesian players in the NFL led him to study the schedule each year and identify the teams that included Polynesians.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2025
In the 13th Century Polynesians brought mice and Pacific rats.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2023
The dogs that the Aztecs and Polynesians reared for food were efficiently fattened on vegetables and garbage.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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