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
Despite that, she was seen participating in a hula hoop contest and reported to be the last in the group to leave about 1 a.m.
—
Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Schepers spent the rest of the night participating in a hula hoop contest around 12:30 a.m., the podcast hosts said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
The hula girl beat the witches on Monday and Tuesday stateside.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024
Guests can also partake in classic Hawaiian activities, such as hula dancing, ʻukulele lessons, and lei making.
—Dyana Lederman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2025
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Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Schepers spent the rest of the night participating in a hula hoop contest around 12:30 a.m., the podcast hosts said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
The hula girl beat the witches on Monday and Tuesday stateside.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024
Guests can also partake in classic Hawaiian activities, such as hula dancing, ʻukulele lessons, and lei making.
—Dyana Lederman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 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 14 Apr. 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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