kanaka

[ kuh-nak-uh, -nah-kuh, kan-uh-kuh ]

/ kəˈnæk ə, -ˈnɑ kə, ˈkæn ə kə /

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noun (sometimes initial capital letter)

a Native Hawaiian.

a South Sea islander.

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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 kanaka

From Hawaiian: “person”

Words nearby kanaka

Kamyshin, Kan., kana, kanae, Kanak, kanaka, kana-majiri, kanamycin, Kananga, Kanara, Kanarese

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use kanaka in a sentence

With a regular and plentiful supply of Indian coolies, the recruiting of kanaka labourers practically ceased.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3|Various
The Kanaka in the prow gave the signal, and the boat backed into the monster wave just as it was about to break.
The Honorable Percival|Alice Hegan Rice
"The last boat that went out capsized," cried Bobby, gleefully taking her place behind the second Kanaka.
The Honorable Percival|Alice Hegan Rice
"New York," whispered a voice in the Kanaka's ear, and he repeated the word stammeringly.
Port O' Gold|Louis John Stellman

At the polling desk Benito found himself behind a burly Kanaka sailor, dark as an African.
Port O' Gold|Louis John Stellman

British Dictionary definitions for kanaka

Kanaka

/ (kəˈnækə, ˈkænəkə) /

noun

(esp in Hawaii) a native Hawaiian

(often not capital) Australian any native of the South Pacific islands, esp (formerly) one abducted to work in Australia

Word Origin for Kanaka

C19: from Hawaiian: man, human being

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012