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
His two-star review said the remake feels "so pointless" when the original film was "a fun, funny, poignant coming-of-age yarn with fantastic music and a winning Polynesian spin on the Disney Princess template".
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
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
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
As for marine resources, most Polynesian islands are surrounded by shallow water and reefs, and many also encompass lagoons.
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
Polynesians and Aztecs developed dog breeds specifically raised for food.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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