: a small guitar of Portuguese origin popularized in Hawaii in the 1880s and strung typically with four strings
Illustration of ukulele
Examples of ukulele in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebMeetups consist of playing popular songs together and sharing ukulele playing tips.—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 2024 Her lo-fi sound, often utilizing the ukulele in her bedroom pop songs, became a hit with her followers for their emotionally resonant and cozy vibes — qualities that led to her first foray into video game music with the Life is Strange series.—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2024 There will be two ukulele performances at Old Settlers Park in downtown West Bend at 120 N. Main St. From 6 to 8 p.m., the Ukerazy Ukulele Band/Experience will perform; and from 8 to 10 p.m., Tim Manfred Yin will have a ukulele and vocal performance.—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 10 July 2024 Afterwards, Megan Cox, box office and event manager of The Bend Theater, and her husband, Jake, will have a ukulele performance.—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for ukulele
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: a usually four-stringed small guitar popularized in Hawaii
Etymology
from Hawaiian ʽukulele "ukulele," literally, "jumping flea," from ʽuku "flea" + lele "jumping"
Word Origin
In the 19th century, a former British army officer named Edward Purvis lived in Hawaii as an official at the royal court. Purvis is said to have been given the Hawaiian nickname of ʽukulele, which means "jumping flea," because he was small and lively. In 1879 Portuguese immigrants arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. They brought several of their native instruments, among them a small four-stringed guitar. Purvis liked this new instrument. He quickly learned to play it. In time the small guitar became a favorite, and it took the nickname of the man who had made it popular.
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