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hula

hula

39 6.8
A Hawaiian dance with slow, rhythmic movements that tell a story
  • noun
  • /ˈhuːlə/
: hula
  • My mother and sister would demonstrate the hula, Dad would perform with fire, and I'd smash coconuts with my geologist's hammer.

Examples

  • At the luau, we watched a traditional hula that told the story of Hawaii's rich culture.

  • The students practiced their hula moves in preparation for the end-of-year showcase.

  • "I got a picture of me in a hula dress," said Red.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Now it's time for a few of you lucky men to learn how to do the Tahitian hula.

  • It's my Hawaiian hula skirt.

  • First, there was an Indian princess, then a Japanese dancer, then a Hawaiian hula girl, and many others.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The men put on shows under the palm fronds dressed as women in hula skirts.

  • Activities could include 3-legged races, water balloon toss, hula hoop contest, watermelon seed-spitting contests, and more.

    Blog text (1)
  • During the festival, the dancers performed a vibrant hula that captivated the audience.

Synonyms

hula-hula
vshula
7.9

A traditional Hawaiian dance with hip and hand movements that tells a story

is the same dance not limited to a female performer
3.4

A dance from Hawaii with slow, graceful hand and hip movements that tell a story

is a specific traditional form focused on storytelling gestures

Compounds

6 2.2

A large plastic ring you spin around your waist for play or exercise

6.8

A way of moving the body when doing the hula

7.9

A traditional Hawaiian dance with hip and hand movements that tells a story

How Expressive

hula
39 6.8
to dance
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

hula singular
hulas plural

Etymology

The word hula comes from the Hawaiian language, where hula simply means 'dance' and refers to the story-telling movements using the hands and hips. That's why in English hula names the traditional Hawaiian dance that uses gestures and rhythm to tell a story.