hula

noun

hu·​la ˈhü-lə 

variants or less commonly hula-hula

ˌhü-lə-ˈhü-lə 

: 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

Did you know?

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

Dinner will be followed by a Polynesian show with hula dancers, live music and fire dancers. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2025

The boys go on a boat while the girls dance in a hula show. —Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025

Hula As Resistance For Native Hawaiians, hula is language. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Williams met him on a Sunday before the camp began, and Wooldridge remembers laying out hula hoops and teaching the 15-year-old how to bend and sink his hips. —Matt Barrows, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hula

• beulah
• chula
• gula
• kula
• ula
• betula
• blastula
• fistula
• radula
• regula
• scrofula
• campanula

Kids 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)