koa
koa — noun
1. A tall tree that grows naturally on the Hawaiian Islands, with curved flat leave
A tall tree that grows naturally on the Hawaiian Islands, with curved flat leaves that look like thin half-moons and small pale yellow flowers that grow in round clusters.
Beatrix planted a young koa tree in the corner of her garden near Hilo.
koa + tree (referring to the living plant)
The koa trees on the volcanic slope survived the eruption because their roots grow deep.
Rania learned to identify a koa by its crescent-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers.
Hikers on the trail stopped to admire the tall koa trees growing beside the stream.
- Acacia koa
the scientific name; used in botanical writing rather than everyday speech
用法筆記
The koa tree is native only to Hawaii and grows mainly in volcanic soil at higher elevations. This botanical sense is the less common use of the word in everyday English.
2. The hard reddish-brown wood taken from the koa tree, known for its attractive gr
The hard reddish-brown wood taken from the koa tree, known for its attractive grain pattern and used to make high-quality furniture, musical instruments, and decorative objects.
Brian chose a koa dining table for the living room of his new apartment.
koa + furniture (dining table, chair, desk)
The ukulele was made from polished koa wood with a beautiful reddish grain.
Shanti bought a small koa jewelry box at the artisan market in Honolulu.
The craftsman sanded the koa surface until it felt smooth and looked glossy.
用法筆記
This is the more common sense of the word. Koa wood is especially associated with traditional Hawaiian crafts — ukuleles, canoes, and bowls. Use the uncountable form when referring to the material.