Hawaiian

Pronunciation

• IPA: /hÉ™.ˈwaɪ.É™n/
• IPA: /hÉ™.ˈwaɪ.jÉ™n/
• IPA: /hÉ™.ˈwɑː.jÉ™n/

Alternative forms

• HawaiÊ»ian (or Hawai'ian, Hawai`ian)

Origin

Hawaii + -an

Full definition of Hawaiian

Adjective

1. (of a person) Descended from the peoples inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands prior to European contact.
2. Of or having to do with the Hawaiian race, culture, or language.
3. Of or having to do with the culture of the US state of Hawaii.
4. Of or having to do with a resident of the US state of Hawaii.

Usage notes

(of a resident of Hawaii) This sense is disliked by some descendants of the pre-European Hawaiians.

Noun

1. A descendant of the peoples inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands prior to European contact.
2. A resident of the US state of Hawaii.
3. A pizza topped with ham and pineapple.

Hypernyms

• American

Usage notes

(a resident of Hawaii) This sense is avoided almost universally by residents of Hawaii and those familiar with residents of Hawaii. It is best avoided in all contexts. Use "Hawaii resident" instead for non-ethnic Hawaiians.

Proper noun

1. The Hawaiian language.