hula-hula: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, cultural, sometimes humorous or kitsch
Quick answer
What does “hula-hula” mean?
A style of Hawaiian dance characterized by swaying hip movements and rhythmic gestures, often accompanied by chanting or music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of Hawaiian dance characterized by swaying hip movements and rhythmic gestures, often accompanied by chanting or music.
A decorative element, pattern, or design based on or reminiscent of Hawaiian or Polynesian motifs, often seen in textiles, wallpapers, or party decorations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties understand and use the term. In the US, due to greater cultural exposure to Hawaii, the single word 'hula' is dominant. 'Hula-hula' might be used for stylistic effect, in branding, or by children. In the UK, 'hula-hula' is somewhat more likely to be encountered in older texts or in a kitsch/commercial context (e.g., 'hula-hula girl' figurine).
Connotations
UK: Often carries connotations of exoticism, 1950s/60s kitsch, or party novelties. US: Stronger direct association with authentic Hawaiian culture and tourism, though the reduplicated form can sound childish or deliberately quaint.
Frequency
The term 'hula' is significantly more frequent in both varieties. 'Hula-hula' is a low-frequency variant.
Grammar
How to Use “hula-hula” in a Sentence
[perform/do] the hula-huladance [the] hula-huladressed as a hula-hula girlVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hula-hula” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The children enjoyed learning a simple hula-hula at the summer fête.
- The bar was decorated with tiki torches and pictures of hula-hula girls.
American English
- For the luau, one of the activities will be a hula-hula lesson.
- She bought a cheap hula-hula skirt from the tourist shop.
verb
British English
- They spent the evening hula-hulaing badly to ukulele music.
- He was persuaded to hula-hula for a laugh.
American English
- The mascot started hula-hulaing on the sidelines.
- Can you believe we spent our vacation hula-hulaing every night?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism marketing or event planning for a tropical theme.
Academic
Rare, found in ethnomusicology or cultural studies discussions on appropriation or popularization of Hawaiian culture.
Everyday
Used when referring to the dance in a light-hearted or descriptive way, especially with children or in the context of a fancy-dress party.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hula-hula”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hula-hula”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hula-hula”
- Using 'hula-hula' in formal writing where 'hula' is preferred.
- Misspelling as 'hoola-hoola'.
- Using it as a verb without -ing ('She hula-hula' vs. 'She does the hula-hula' or 'She is hula-hulaing').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Hula' is the standard and correct term for the Hawaiian dance. 'Hula-hula' is a reduplicated, informal, and less common variant, often used for stylistic, playful, or commercial effect.
Yes, but it is highly informal and humorous (e.g., 'Stop hula-hulaing and help me!'). In standard usage, you 'do the hula' or 'dance the hula/hula-hula'.
There is no formal difference in meaning. 'Hula-hula' often implies a more simplistic, repetitive, or caricatured version of the dance, especially as understood in popular culture outside Hawaii.
The grass skirt ('hula skirt') is often associated with the hula in popular culture, but traditional Hawaiian hula attire was more varied and included kapa cloth skirts. The modern grass skirt is a development influenced by other Polynesian cultures and tourism.
A style of Hawaiian dance characterized by swaying hip movements and rhythmic gestures, often accompanied by chanting or music.
Hula-hula is usually informal, cultural, sometimes humorous or kitsch in register.
Hula-hula: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhuːlə ˈhuːlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhuːlə ˈhuːlə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Hula-Hoop' – a toy you move your hips with. 'Hula-hula' is the dance you do with your hips.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAPPINESS IS WAVING MOVEMENT (e.g., 'She was hula-hulaing with joy' – though highly colloquial and non-standard).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'hula-hula' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?