kane
Kane (noun) means a word for a Polynesian or Māori man. Example: “The old song addresses a kane returning from the sea.”
How to use kane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Polynesian/Māori word for "man," or a common Irish surname.
Word forms
kanes plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old song addresses a _____ returning from the sea.
Etymology
The Polynesian sense comes from Māori "kāne," meaning "man"; the surname sense is an Anglicized form of an Irish name.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for kane
See all rhymes for kane →Frequently asked questions
What does “kane” mean?
The word “kane” means a word for a Polynesian or Māori man. In plain terms, a Polynesian/Māori word for "man," or a common Irish surname.
How do you pronounce “kane”?
“Kane” is pronounced kayn (/keɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “kane” in a sentence?
Here is “kane” used in a sentence: “The old song addresses a kane returning from the sea.”
What part of speech is “kane”?
“Kane” is a noun.
Where does the word “kane” come from?
The word “kane” comes from Irish. The Polynesian sense comes from Māori "kāne," meaning "man"; the surname sense is an Anglicized form of an Irish name.
Is “kane” a common word?
“Kane” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kane” have?
“Kane” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a word for a Polynesian or Māori man.
What is the difference between "kane" and "wahine"?
In Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages, "kane" means a man or male, while "wahine" means a woman or female. The pair is often seen labelling men's and women's areas, such as restroom doors in Hawaii.
Is the surname "Kane" related to "kane" meaning a man?
No. As a surname, "Kane" is of Irish origin and is unrelated to the Polynesian and Māori word "kane" meaning a man. The two share a spelling only by coincidence.
What is the difference between "kane" and "cane"?
"Kane" refers to a Polynesian or Māori man, or is an Irish surname, while "cane" is a walking stick or a tall plant stem such as sugar cane. They sound alike but have completely different meanings.
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