name
Common
Hawaii
huh-WEYE-ee
Hawaii (name) means a US state made up of a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, capital Honolulu. Example: “They spent their honeymoon in Hawaii.”
name
1
A US state made up of a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, capital Honolulu.
"They spent their honeymoon in Hawaii."
How to use Hawaii
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe Pacific island state of the USA, known for its volcanoes, beaches, and distinct Polynesian culture.
Easily confused with
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Etymology
From Hawaiian Hawaiʻi, tracing back to an old Polynesian word for an ancestral homeland.
Synonyms
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aloha state
Rhymes for Hawaii
See all rhymes for Hawaii →Frequently asked questions
What does “Hawaii” mean?
The word “Hawaii” means a US state made up of a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, capital Honolulu. In plain terms, the Pacific island state of the USA, known for its volcanoes, beaches, and distinct Polynesian culture.
How do you pronounce “Hawaii”?
“Hawaii” is pronounced huh-WEYE-ee (/həˈwaɪ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “Hawaii” in a sentence?
Here is “Hawaii” used in a sentence: “They spent their honeymoon in Hawaii.”
What part of speech is “Hawaii”?
“Hawaii” is a name.
Is “Hawaii” a common word?
“Hawaii” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between Hawaii and Hawaiian?
Hawaii is the proper name of the US state, a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Hawaiian is the adjective and demonym, used for the people, language, and culture of the islands, as in 'a Hawaiian shirt' or 'the Hawaiian language.'
Is Hawaii spelled with two i's at the end?
Yes. The standard English spelling of Hawaii ends in a double i: H-a-w-a-i-i. In native Hawaiian the name is written Hawaiʻi, with a glottal-stop mark called an ʻokina between the two final vowels.
What is the capital of Hawaii?
The capital of Hawaii is Honolulu, which sits on the island of Oahu. It is the state's largest city and its main center of government and commerce.
Is Hawaii the only US state made entirely of islands?
Yes. Hawaii is the only US state made up entirely of islands, forming a chain in the central Pacific Ocean. It is also the only state that lies outside the North American mainland.
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