# Hawaii

/həˈwaɪˌi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hawaii
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR A2

the 50th state of the United States, located in the central Pacific Ocean.

For teachers: the 50th state of the United States, which joined the union in 1959.

- Honolulu is the capital city of Hawaii.
- The political history of Hawaii is unique among American states, as it was a sovereign kingdom before its annexation by the United States.

### 2. archipelago

noun · CEFR B1

a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.

For teachers: a chain of volcanic islands in the North Pacific, stretching over 1,500 miles.

- We spent our holiday hopping between the different islands of Hawaii.
- The archipelago of Hawaii was formed by a volcanic hotspot in the Earth's crust, resulting in a diverse range of climates across the islands.

### 3. the largest island

noun · CEFR B2

the largest island in the state of Hawaii, often called the Big Island.

For teachers: the largest and southeasternmost of the Hawaiian Islands, often referred to as the Big Island to distinguish it from the state.

- Hawaii is the only island in the chain that still has active volcanoes.
- While the state shares its name, the island of Hawaii itself is larger than all the other islands in the archipelago combined.

## Examples

- We are planning a vacation to Hawaii this winter.
- Many tourists visit Hawaii every year to see the active volcanoes and experience the local culture.
- The unique geological history of Hawaii is defined by a volcanic hotspot that has created a chain of islands over millions of years as the Pacific Plate moved northwest.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.