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Kahuna - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Kahuna refers to an important person, expert, or leader, especially in Hawaiian culture. It can also mean someone with great authority or skill in a particular field.

kahuna

/kəˈhuːnə/ /kəˈhuːnə/

Definition:

A person of great importance or expertise, especially in a particular field.

Synonyms:

expert, authority, master, guru

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

novice, amateur

Common Collocations:

big kahuna, head kahuna, surf kahuna

Derivatives:

kahunas (slang for courage or nerve)

Usage Tips:

Use "kahuna" informally to describe someone highly skilled or influential in their domain.

Common Phrases:

big kahuna, head kahuna, the whole kahuna

Etymology:

Originates from Hawaiian, meaning "priest" or "expert," later adopted into English slang.

Examples:

  • 1. The surf instructor was the local kahuna of the beach.
  • 2. She’s the marketing kahuna at her company, leading all major campaigns.
  • 3. Don’t worry—he’s the big kahuna when it comes to fixing cars.
  • 4. The tech conference featured several industry kahunas sharing their insights.

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