hula: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, sometimes technical (in dance/anthropology contexts)
Quick answer
What does “hula” mean?
A Hawaiian dance traditionally accompanied by a chant or song, characterized by rhythmic hip movements.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Hawaiian dance traditionally accompanied by a chant or song, characterized by rhythmic hip movements.
Any dance, activity, or object imitating or related to the traditional Hawaiian hula, often in a simplified or commercialized form; can also refer to the style or cultural context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly higher familiarity in American English due to Hawaii's status as a US state and greater cultural exposure.
Connotations
Both: Can connote authentic Hawaiian culture or kitsch/tourism. American: More immediate cultural association. British: Often viewed as an exotic, foreign dance.
Frequency
More frequent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “hula” in a Sentence
perform [a/the] huladance [the] hulabe dressed in [a] hula skirtVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hula” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- We watched the dancers hula under the palm trees. (rare, informal)
adjective
British English
- She wore a colourful hula skirt for the fancy-dress party.
American English
- The kids played with a bright green hula hoop in the yard.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used in tourism/hospitality marketing (e.g., 'beachfront luau with hula show').
Academic
Used in anthropology, cultural studies, dance history.
Everyday
Discussions of dance, Hawaii, parties, toys (hula hoop).
Technical
Dance terminology specifying types (e.g., kahiko, 'auana).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hula”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hula”
- Using 'hula' as a verb without 'do' or 'perform' (Incorrect: 'She hulaed.' Correct: 'She performed the hula.'). Confusing 'hula hoop' with the dance itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A luau is a Hawaiian feast or party. Hula is a dance often performed at a luau.
Informally in American English, yes (e.g., 'She hulaed beautifully'), but it's non-standard. 'Dance the hula' or 'perform the hula' is preferred.
Hula is Hawaiian, with emphasis on hand gestures and storytelling. Tahitian dance (e.g., 'ori Tahiti) is faster, with more emphasis on rapid hip movements.
It can be seen as cultural appropriation, reducing a sacred cultural tradition to a stereotype. Sensitivity is advised.
A Hawaiian dance traditionally accompanied by a chant or song, characterized by rhythmic hip movements.
Hula is usually informal, sometimes technical (in dance/anthropology contexts) in register.
Hula: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhuːlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhuːlə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hula hoop (a toy)”
- “hula your way (to charm/succeed informally)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HULA - Hips Undulate Lovely Art.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT IS STORYTELLING (traditional hula narrates history); PERFORMANCE IS COMMODITY (commercialized hula).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'hula hoop' primarily?