Hawaiian

/həˈwaɪ.ən/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: Hawaiians

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Descended from the peoples inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands prior to European contact.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Of or pertaining to the Hawaiian race, culture, or language.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A descendant of the peoples inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands prior to European contact.

Noun

Examples

He felt having a Micronesian navigator meant he needed a pureblooded Polynesian, preferably a Hawaiian, as captain.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A native or resident of the state of Hawaii in the United States of America.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “Hawaiian” mean?

Descended from the peoples inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands prior to European contact.

Is “Hawaiian” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.