Maui

IPA/mˈaʊiː/
KK[mˈaʊi]IPA/mˈaʊiː/

Maui — noun

1. a large island in the Pacific Ocean that belongs to the US state of Hawaii, and

1.nounB1
Definition

a large island in the Pacific Ocean that belongs to the US state of Hawaii, and is the second largest island in the Hawaiian chain, known for its beaches, green valleys, and volcanic landscapes.

Example

Nala and her family spent two weeks on Maui during their summer vacation.

collocation: on Maui (island as location)

The flight from Honolulu to Maui takes less than an hour.

Common collocations
  • visit Maui
  • live on Maui
  • travel to Maui
  • Maui beach
  • Maui coast
Synonyms
  • Valley Isle

    a poetic nickname for Maui, not commonly used in everyday speech

Grammar Patterns

on Maui

to Maui

in Maui

Usage Note

Maui is a proper noun and is always capitalized. It is used without an article (the) unless referring to 'the island of Maui' or 'the Maui region'. The preposition 'on' is used when Maui is treated as a location ('on Maui'), while 'to' is used for direction or destination ('go to Maui').

Common Mistakes

The Maui is a beautiful island.
Maui is a beautiful island.
Proper nouns like Maui do not take 'the' unless referring to 'the island of Maui' as a full title.

Etymology

Proto-PolynesianHawaiianEnglish

The name Maui comes from the Hawaiian language and refers to Māui, the great demigod and culture hero in Polynesian mythology who was said to have pulled the Hawaiian Islands from the sea with a magic fishhook. The island was traditionally named after him by the ancient Polynesian voyagers who settled Hawaii.