hula-hoop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, playful
Quick answer
What does “hula-hoop” mean?
A large, light hoop, typically made of plastic, that is rotated around the waist, limbs, or neck as a form of play or exercise.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, light hoop, typically made of plastic, that is rotated around the waist, limbs, or neck as a form of play or exercise.
The activity or game of playing with such a hoop; to perform this activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are largely identical. The activity and the toy are identically recognized. No significant regional variation.
Connotations
Primarily associated with childhood, 1950s/60s fad, recreation, and fitness. Carries a slightly nostalgic and playful tone in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE due to globalized toy culture. Slight spike in usage in fitness contexts (e.g., 'hula-hoop fitness classes').
Grammar
How to Use “hula-hoop” in a Sentence
[Subject] hula-hoops (for [time period])[Subject] is hula-hooping[Subject] played with a hula-hoopVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hula-hoop” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The children were hula-hooping in the garden for hours.
- She can hula-hoop while reciting poetry, which is quite a skill.
American English
- Let's hula-hoop for five minutes as part of our workout.
- He hula-hooped non-stop for a new personal record.
adjective
British English
- She joined a hula-hoop fitness class at the community centre.
- The hula-hoop championship was fiercely competitive.
American English
- They hosted a hula-hoop contest at the block party.
- The hula-hoop trend from the 50s is making a comeback.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of toy manufacturing, retail, or fitness trend analysis.
Academic
Rare. Possibly in historical/cultural studies of post-war fads or sociology of play.
Everyday
Common in contexts of childhood play, family activities, school playgrounds, and casual fitness.
Technical
In sports science or physics, might be used to discuss rotational mechanics or motor skill development.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hula-hoop”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hula-hoop”
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'hula hoop' (two words) is often acceptable, but 'hulahoop' (no hyphen) is less standard.
- Confusing 'hula-hoop' (the activity/toy) with 'hula' (the Hawaiian dance).
- Using as a verb without context: 'She hula-hooped' is clear, but 'She did hula-hoop' is awkward.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The noun form is most standardly hyphenated: 'hula-hoop'. The verb is often spelled the same way ('to hula-hoop') or as two words ('to hula hoop'). Dictionaries vary, but the hyphenated form is widely accepted.
Yes, it can. For example: 'She taught me how to hula-hoop.' It's a regular verb (hula-hoop, hula-hoops, hula-hooped, hula-hooping).
The name combines 'hula' (suggesting hip movement, from the Hawaiian dance) with 'hoop'. The toy was popularized globally in the 1950s, though hoop-spinning games have existed for centuries in many cultures.
Yes, it's considered effective low-impact cardio that engages the core muscles, improves coordination and balance, and can burn a significant number of calories.
A large, light hoop, typically made of plastic, that is rotated around the waist, limbs, or neck as a form of play or exercise.
Hula-hoop is usually informal, playful in register.
Hula-hoop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhuːlə ˌhuːp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhuːlə ˌhuːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HULA dancer using a HOOP. HULA + HOOP = Hula-Hoop.
Conceptual Metaphor
CIRCULAR MOTION IS PLAY / REPETITION IS SKILL (e.g., 'keeping the hoop going', 'maintaining the spin').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of a 'hula-hoop'?