hula

noun

hu·​la ˈhü-lə How to pronounce hula (audio)
variants or less commonly hula-hula
: a sinuous Polynesian dance characterized by rhythmic movement of the hips and mimetic gestures with the hands and often accompanied by chants and rhythmic drumming

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A sinuous Polynesian dance, the hula combines undulating movement of the hips and mimetic hand gestures. The dance is often accompanied by chants, drumming, and music played on instruments such as the ukulele. Originally a religious dance performed to praise the chiefs, contemporary hulas tell a story or describe a place, and are danced exclusively by women. The costume typically includes a raffia skirt with a lei (garland) around the neck.

Examples of hula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To experience the most authentic hula, seek out a hula competition. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 The thinner, the better for the wooden planks so that nothing too heavy drags the hula hoops down. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2023 Hawaii is everything most families want in a vacation and then some — swaying palm trees, exciting hula performances, scenic beaches and so many rainbows. Karen Cicero, Good Housekeeping, 29 June 2023 The museum also opened a new exhibition earlier this year honoring the long legacy of hula in Chicago. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024 The group soon expanded to include them, along with pedal steel guitarist Ran Anderson and sister hula dancers Alana and Alyssa Godoy. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2024 Attendees can experience music and dance traditions from the Hawaiian hula to the dances of Tahiti, with contributions from local Arizona artists, as well as international performers from as far away as New Zealand. Sunset Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023 In mathematics, the field of topology deals with shapes and the holes in them—a basketball, without holes, is topologically identical to a football, but distinct from a hula hoop, with one hole. IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2023 Get clarity with a tarot card reading and show your inner niña/o some love with a hula hoop session. Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hula was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near hula

Cite this Entry

“Hula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hula. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hula

noun
hu·​la ˈhü-lə How to pronounce hula (audio)
variants or hula-hula
ˌhü-lə-ˈhü-lə
: a Polynesian dance composed of slow rhythmic body movements usually accompanied by chants and drumming
Etymology

a native word in Hawaii

More from Merriam-Webster on hula

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