tiki

American  

[tee-kee] / ˈti ki /

noun

1. (initial capital letter) (in Polynesian mythology) the first man on earth.

2. (in Polynesian cultures) a carved image, as of a god or ancestor, sometimes worn as a pendant around the neck.

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tiki British  

/ ˈtiːkɪ /

noun

1. an amulet or figurine in the form of a carved representation of an ancestor, worn in some Māori cultures

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verb

1. (intr) to take a scenic tour around an area

Etymology

Origin of tiki

1875–80; < Maori and Marquesan

Explanation

A tiki is a large Polynesian carving of a human-like figure. It's very common to see tiki imagery in Hawaii, in locations ranging from sacred sites to tourist hotels. The word tiki means "image" in Eastern Polynesian, and these impressive stone or wooden carvings originally represented the first man in Māori mythology, Tiki. In New Zealand, Tahiti, and Hawaii, tiki are usually huge, towering statues, but small versions are sometimes worn as pendants. The visual style of tiki inspired 20th-century American tiki culture, which included South Pacific-themed bars and restaurants and was criticized for appropriating elements of indigenous Polynesian culture.

Example Sentences

"I called her my tiki torch," Lampert said.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Stolen Saddle in Chicago—a three-story, 16,000-square-foot behemoth on a busy strip near Wrigley Field—was, until recently, a tiki bar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

“Because everyone is using the word ‘martini’ to describe things that are basically like, I don’t know, tiki drinks.”

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025

If Weekend 2 temperatures are similarly assaulting as they were at Weekend 1, you’ll want to seek out the tiki bar oasis in 12 Peaks VIP Area near Menotti’s coffee stand.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025

Abbey perched on the bow, watching out for obstacles, while I tried to navigate by the lights of the shoreline: motels, mansions, RV parks, tiki bars.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen