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.
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Guests can also partake in classic Hawaiian activities, such as hula dancing, ʻukulele lessons, and lei making.
—
Dyana Lederman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2025
In the past, he’s also attached leis and hula skirts to some of the city’s public sculptures.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
High-speed video of experiments on a robotic hula hooper, whose hourglass form holds the hoop up and in place.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
Shanna Pineda, who has Filipino roots, is a hula and ori Tahiti instructor at Spark of Creation Studio.
—Nanki Kaur, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025
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Dyana Lederman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2025
In the past, he’s also attached leis and hula skirts to some of the city’s public sculptures.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
High-speed video of experiments on a robotic hula hooper, whose hourglass form holds the hoop up and in place.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
Shanna Pineda, who has Filipino roots, is a hula and ori Tahiti instructor at Spark of Creation Studio.
—Nanki Kaur, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hula
Cite this Entry
“Hula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hula. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hula
noun
hu·la
ˈhü-lə 
variants
or hula-hula
ˌhü-lə-ˈhü-lə
: a Polynesian dance composed of slow rhythmic body movements usually accompanied by chants and drumming
Etymology
from Hawaiian (Indigenous language of Hawaii)
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