maori
adj.adj. relating to the people who were the first to live in New Zealand, or to their language and culture.
adj. relating to the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand or their language. Often used attributively to describe cultural practices, art, or social identity.
We learned some basic Maori words during our trip to New Zealand.
The museum features a stunning collection of Maori carvings and traditional woven garments.
The revitalization of the Maori language has been a cornerstone of New Zealand's educational policy, aiming to preserve indigenous heritage for future generations.
Borrowed from Māori māori (“aborigine, native; normal, ordinary, plain”). Doublet of Maoli.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
When used as an adjective, it typically precedes the noun it modifies. In modern usage, it is often written with a macron (Māori) to indicate a long vowel sound.
Last updated May 7, 2026