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noun

poi

poy
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Poi (noun) means a traditional Hawaiian dish made by pounding cooked taro root into a smooth, often fermented, paste. Example: “Poi is a staple at traditional Hawaiian luaus.”

noun
1
A traditional Hawaiian dish made by pounding cooked taro root into a smooth, often fermented, paste.
"Poi is a staple at traditional Hawaiian luaus."
2
A ball attached to a cord, swung rhythmically in a traditional Maori dance, or the dance itself.
"The performers demonstrated poi, spinning the balls in intricate patterns."

How to use poi

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a pounded taro paste from Hawaii, or a Maori dance performed with swinging balls on cords.

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Word forms

Plural
pois
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_____ is a staple at traditional Hawaiian luaus.

Etymology

Borrowed directly from Hawaiian poi.

Rhymes for poi

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Frequently asked questions

What does “poi” mean?
The word “poi” means a traditional Hawaiian dish made by pounding cooked taro root into a smooth, often fermented, paste. In plain terms, either a pounded taro paste from Hawaii, or a Maori dance performed with swinging balls on cords.
How do you pronounce “poi”?
“Poi” is pronounced poy (/pɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “poi” in a sentence?
Here is “poi” used in a sentence: “Poi is a staple at traditional Hawaiian luaus.”
What part of speech is “poi”?
“Poi” is a noun.
How many meanings does “poi” have?
“Poi” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a traditional Hawaiian dish made by pounding cooked taro root into a smooth, often fermented, paste.