Hawaiian
noun
Ha·wai·ian
hə-ˈwä-yən 
-ˈwī-(y)ən,
-ˈwȯ-yən
1
: a native or resident of Hawaii
especially
: one of Polynesian ancestry
Note: In Hawaii, the word Hawaiian is understood as an ethnic designation for a native person of Polynesian descent, and its use in the more general sense "a resident of Hawaii" is considered an error.
2
: the Polynesian language of the Hawaiians
Hawaiian
adjective
Examples of Hawaiian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Season 3 has already dropped some bombs, including the return of Tanya's suspicious husband, Greg (Jon Gries), and Belinda Lindsey (Natasha Rothwell), the visiting spa manager from the Hawaiian White Lotus.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
The group supports the refuge at the Hawaiian archipelago’s far northern end.
—Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
This year’s filing has additional U.S.-based employee listings for American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific, and Two or More Races.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2025
These soon-to-be delicacies are made with pretzel-style King’s Hawaiian Slider Buns for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Hawaiian
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Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
The group supports the refuge at the Hawaiian archipelago’s far northern end.
—Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
This year’s filing has additional U.S.-based employee listings for American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific, and Two or More Races.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2025
These soon-to-be delicacies are made with pretzel-style King’s Hawaiian Slider Buns for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Hawaiian
Cite this Entry
“Hawaiian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hawaiian. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Hawaiian
noun
Ha·wai·ian
hə-ˈwä-yən
-ˈwī(y)ən,
-ˈwȯ-yən
1
: a person born or living in Hawaii
especially
: one of Polynesian ancestry
2
: the Polynesian language of the Hawaiians
Hawaiian
adjective
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