noun

tiki

TEE-kee

Tiki (noun) means a carved human-like figure or talisman, traditional to Polynesian and other Pacific Island cultures. Example: “A wooden tiki stood guard at the entrance to the village.”

noun

A carved human-like figure or talisman, traditional to Polynesian and other Pacific Island cultures.

"A wooden tiki stood guard at the entrance to the village."

"She brought back a small stone tiki as a souvenir from Hawaii."

The kitschy Polynesian-inspired decorating style associated with tropical-themed bars and cocktails.

"The new bar downtown has gone all in on tiki decor, with bamboo walls and flaming torches."

How to use tiki

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA carved figure from Pacific Island culture, or the fun, tropical decorating style it inspired (as in "tiki bar").

Common pairings

tiki bar tiki torch tiki mug tiki culture

Word forms

tikis plural

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Fill the gap

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A wooden _____ stood guard at the entrance to the village.

Etymology

Borrowed from the Maori word tiki, meaning "carved figure," which in Polynesian mythology is also the name of the first human.

Rhymes for tiki

wiki kiki Niki Miki Waikiki Thessaloniki

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Frequently asked questions

What does “tiki” mean?

The word “tiki” means a carved human-like figure or talisman, traditional to Polynesian and other Pacific Island cultures. In plain terms, a carved figure from Pacific Island culture, or the fun, tropical decorating style it inspired (as in "tiki bar").

How do you pronounce “tiki”?

“Tiki” is pronounced TEE-kee (/ˈtiːkiː/ in IPA).

How do you use “tiki” in a sentence?

Here is “tiki” used in a sentence: “A wooden tiki stood guard at the entrance to the village.”

What part of speech is “tiki”?

“Tiki” is a noun.

How many meanings does “tiki” have?

“Tiki” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a carved human-like figure or talisman, traditional to Polynesian and other Pacific Island cultures.