noun
kahuna
kuh-HOO-nuh
Kahuna (noun) means a priest, healer, or expert in traditional Hawaiian culture. Example: “The kahuna led the blessing ceremony before the canoe launch.”
noun
1
A priest, healer, or expert in traditional Hawaiian culture.
"The kahuna led the blessing ceremony before the canoe launch."
2
An important or highly skilled person, especially (informally) a top surfer — as in "big kahuna."
"Everyone on the beach knew he was the big kahuna when it came to riding those waves."
How to use kahuna
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOriginally a Hawaiian priest or expert; in casual English, "big kahuna" means the most important person in a group.
Common pairings
the big kahuna
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Word forms
- Plural
- kahunas
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The _____ led the blessing ceremony before the canoe launch.
Etymology
Borrowed from Hawaiian kahuna ("priest, expert, wizard").
Rhymes for kahuna
See all rhymes for kahuna →Frequently asked questions
What does “kahuna” mean?
The word “kahuna” means a priest, healer, or expert in traditional Hawaiian culture. In plain terms, originally a Hawaiian priest or expert; in casual English, "big kahuna" means the most important person in a group.
How do you pronounce “kahuna”?
“Kahuna” is pronounced kuh-HOO-nuh (/kəˈhuːnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “kahuna” in a sentence?
Here is “kahuna” used in a sentence: “The kahuna led the blessing ceremony before the canoe launch.”
What part of speech is “kahuna”?
“Kahuna” is a noun.
How many meanings does “kahuna” have?
“Kahuna” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a priest, healer, or expert in traditional Hawaiian culture.
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