big kahuna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, humorous, idiomatic
Quick answer
What does “big kahuna” mean?
The most important, powerful, or influential person in a particular group or field.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The most important, powerful, or influential person in a particular group or field.
A person or thing of major significance; the leader or principal figure. Can also refer to an important object, event, or deal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an Americanism, but understood in the UK due to media exposure. More likely to be used in the UK with a conscious adoption of US idiom or in a specific corporate context influenced by US business culture.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of informal business jargon, sometimes with a slightly self-aware or clichéd tone. In American English, it's more established as a colloquial metaphor.
Frequency
Low-medium frequency in AmE, low frequency in BrE. Common in business and tech journalism in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “big kahuna” in a Sentence
[determiner] + big kahuna + of + [field/group]the big kahunaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big kahuna” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's the big kahuna developer in that firm.
- It was a big kahuna announcement.
American English
- This is the big kahuna release we've been waiting for.
- She's the big kahuna investor behind the startup.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to refer to a CEO, major investor, or the most important client on a deal.
Academic
Very rare; might appear in informal discussions about leading figures in a discipline.
Everyday
Used humorously to refer to the most important person in a local context, e.g., a family or social group.
Technical
Occasionally used in tech/startup culture to denote a major platform, product update, or influential figure.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big kahuna”
- Using 'big kahuna' in a formal report.
- Spelling 'kahuna' incorrectly (e.g., kahoona, cahuna).
- Using it without the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific person.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally not considered offensive, as it was adopted into English via surf culture and has lost its specific religious/cultural context. However, as with any term borrowed from another culture, using it with awareness and respect is advised.
Yes, it can refer metaphorically to an important object, event, or deal, e.g., 'This software update is the big kahuna we've been testing for months.'
They are close synonyms. 'Bigwig' is slightly older and more established in British English, while 'big kahuna' is more American and has a more modern, casual, sometimes humorous feel.
Yes, 'big kahunas' is used, though less frequently. It refers to a group of important people, e.g., 'All the big kahunas from the tech world were at the summit.'
The most important, powerful, or influential person in a particular group or field.
Big kahuna is usually informal, humorous, idiomatic in register.
Big kahuna: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ kəˈhuːnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ kəˈhuːnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the big kahuna (of something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a large, important Hawaiian chief (kahuna) wearing a big lei. He's the BIG one everyone listens to.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS SIZE / STATUS IS HIERARCHICAL POSITION
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'big kahuna' LEAST appropriate?