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.
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.