Polynesian

American  

[pol-uh-nee-zhuhn, -shuhn] / ˌpɒl əˈni ʒən, -ʃən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Polynesia, its inhabitants, or their languages.

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noun

1. a member of any of a number of peoples originating from and inhabiting Polynesia, and speaking closely related Austronesian languages.

2. the easternmost group of Austronesian languages, including Maori, Tahitian, Samoan, Hawaiian, and the language of Easter Island.

Polynesian British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈniːʒən, -ʒɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Polynesia, its people, or any of their languages

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noun

1. a member of the people that inhabit Polynesia, generally of Caucasoid features with light skin and wavy hair

2. 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

Etymology

Origin of Polynesian

First recorded in 1805–15; Polynesi(a) + -an

Compare meaning

How does polynesian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Polynesian vs. Hawaiian

Example Sentences

One expert on Polynesian history has estimated that between 1862 and 1888—when Easter Island was brought under the jurisdiction of the Chilean navy—“about 94% of the population perished or emigrated.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 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

The Seahawks team also boasts several players of Polynesian descent including backup running back George Holani, who was born in New Zealand to Tongan parents but moved to the United States as a young child.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

Adam Pretty: I took this picture at the relatively new Surftown wave pool in Munich, where some elite French Polynesian surfers had booked private training sessions.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

This monumental Polynesian architecture was obviously evolving in the same direction as the pyramids of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Mexico, and Peru.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond