hula

American  

[hoo-luh] / ˈhu lə /

noun

1. a sinuous Hawaiian dance with intricate arm movements that tell a story in pantomime, usually danced to rhythmic drumming and accompanied by chanting.

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hula British  

/ ˈhuːlə /

noun

1. a Hawaiian dance performed by a woman

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Etymology

Origin of hula

Borrowed into English from Hawaiian around 1815–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hula

At a recent Hawaiian-themed wedding in Sausalito, Calif., most guests arrived in Hawaiian shirts and hula skirts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

The deeper one analyzes it, the more sinister its class dynamics feel, even if it’s an excuse to showcase, say, street dancing and hula hoop acrobatics.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2025

I made a long-haired wig and a hula skirt out of sausages.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2024

He reveals that he sprained it while hula hooping and he even shows photos.

From Salon ● Dec. 14, 2023

I say I have to stay after school, which is true: I’m painting the decorations for the next dance, palm trees and girls in hula skirts.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood