kahuna

[ kuh-hoo-nuh ]

/ kəˈhu nə /

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noun

(in Hawaii) a Native medicine man or priest.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of kahuna

Borrowed into English from Hawaiian around 1885–90

Words nearby kahuna

Kahn, Kahn test, Kahoolawe, Kahramanmaraş, Kahului, kahuna, kai, kaiak, kaibab squirrel, Kaieteur, Kaieteur Falls

How to use kahuna in a sentence

The Big Kahuna Beach Wagon only weighs in at 75 pounds, but with its 12-inch-wide wheels specifically designed for use on sand, it’s capable of carrying up to 350 pounds of fishing equipment, beach gear, even a Yeti Tundra.
Best beach wagons: Get your gear to the beach in one trip|Florie Korani|July 21, 2021|Popular-Science
Big Kahuna Burger is a fictional chain of Hawaiian-themed fast food burger joints out in Los Angeles dreamed up by Tarantino.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That Tarantino never opened a real-life Big Kahuna Burger out in L.A. seems like a huge missed opportunity.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Which brings us to The Expendables 3—the big kahuna of boarding.
Why ‘Boarding’ Is Ruining Movies: Padding Blockbusters With A-List Cameos|Marlow Stern|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

NBCC president John Freeman made the introduction: “And now to announce the big kahuna…” The crowd hissed.
Stoned in Manhattan|Jane Ciabattari|October 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST
When a Kanaka has endured an injury he hires a kahuna to pray his enemy to death.
Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate|Charles M. Skinner
The kahuna tells him that his conduct has displeased some god or goddess and that he must die.
Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate|Charles M. Skinner
The sacerdotal order had its origin in Paao, whose descendants have always been regarded as the Kahuna maoli.
Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands|Charles Nordhoff
The Kahunaanaana and the Kahunalapaau have never been considered as belonging to the high caste of Kahuna maoli.
Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands|Charles Nordhoff
The many known examples of their criminal use inclines us to believe that these kahuna were rather poisoners than magicians.
Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands|Charles Nordhoff