honolulu: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-Low (Common in geographic, travel, and news contexts; less common in everyday conversation outside these domains)Neutral to Formal. Standard in all written and spoken contexts when referring to the city. Can be used informally in travel/tourist discussions.
Quick answer
What does “honolulu” mean?
The capital and largest city of the U.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located on the island of Oahu.
As a proper noun, it refers specifically to this geographic and administrative entity. It often serves as a metonym for Hawaiian government, tourism, or urban culture in the Pacific. It can also evoke imagery of tropical paradise, surf culture, and a major Pacific hub.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. British usage may more frequently contextualize it as a distant Pacific/US destination, while American usage treats it as a domestic city.
Connotations
Similar connotations of tropical vacation, surf, and exotic location in both dialects. For Americans, it also connotes a domestic travel destination and a distinct state culture.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to domestic relevance.
Grammar
How to Use “honolulu” in a Sentence
[Be/Live] in Honolulu[Fly/Drive/Travel] to Honolulu[Depart from/Arrive in] HonoluluVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “honolulu” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Honolulu-based offices
- a Honolulu neighbourhood
American English
- Honolulu-based offices
- Honolulu weather patterns
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The company's Pacific headquarters are located in Honolulu."
Academic
"The 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy was orchestrated from Honolulu."
Everyday
"We're spending three nights in Honolulu before island-hopping."
Technical
"The Honolulu tide gauge shows a sea-level rise of 1.5mm per year."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “honolulu”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “honolulu”
- Misspelling as 'Honululu' or 'Honololu'.
- Incorrect capitalisation (e.g., 'honolulu').
- Using an article (e.g., 'the Honolulu'), which is incorrect for the city name itself, though correct in phrases like 'the Honolulu airport'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is believed to come from the Hawaiian words 'hono' meaning 'bay' or 'port' and 'lulu' meaning 'calm' or 'sheltered'. Thus, 'sheltered bay' or 'calm port'.
Yes, Honolulu is located on the southeast coast of the island of Oahu. It is not an island itself, but the major city on Oahu.
Yes, this is common for clarity, though 'I'm going to Honolulu' is sufficient in most contexts as it is widely recognized as the Hawaiian capital.
Diamond Head crater is an iconic natural landmark. The Iolani Palace (the only royal palace in the US) and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor are major historical landmarks.
The capital and largest city of the U.
Honolulu is usually neutral to formal. standard in all written and spoken contexts when referring to the city. can be used informally in travel/tourist discussions. in register.
Honolulu: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒnəˈluːluː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɑːnəˈluːluː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HONO-lu-lu: Think 'HONOr' for the royal Hawaiian history, and 'lu-lu' sounds like a relaxed, tropical rhythm.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GATEWAY (to the Hawaiian islands), a PEARL (a valuable urban center in a vast ocean).
Practice
Quiz
What is Honolulu primarily known as?