What does "poi" mean?
The traditional staple food of Hawaii, made by baking and pounding the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste, which is allowed to ferment.
Poi
/ˌpiː ˌəʊ ˈaɪ/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The traditional staple food of Hawaii, made by baking and pounding the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste, which is allowed to ferment.
- Grammar: poi is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: landmark, location, place of interest, taro.
- Useful contrasts: nonfood, nonlandmark, nonplace.
- Usage evidence: It was a far cry from the traditional Hawaiian feast, which always included the beloved poi, a purplish paste made from pounded taro root […].
How to use "poi"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "poi" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "poi" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "poi" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "poi" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "poi" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "landmark" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "poi", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The traditional staple food of Hawaii, made by baking and pounding the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste, which is allowed to ferment. Hawaii, uncountable
"It was a far cry from the traditional Hawaiian feast, which always included the beloved poi, a purplish paste made from pounded taro root […]."
- 2 A small ball made of leaves and fibres, attached to a string. New-Zealand, countable, uncountable
"Warriors formerly used poi actions to maintain wrist flexibility, but poi have developed as a women's dance. Classic poi dances and songs are reputed to have been those of the people of the Taranaki, Rotorua, and Whanganui tribal areas, but poi are now performed everywhere in Aotearoa."
- 3 Alternative form of poee (“Goan flatbread”). alt-of, alternative, uncountable
- 4 Initialism of point of interest. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
"These POIs are usually visualized as icons (e.g., push pins, markers in Google Maps) in a base map, with some multimedia information—mostly text, images, and videos—attached to the icons (Haklay et al., 2008)."
- 5 Hawaiian dish of taro root pounded to a paste and often allowed to ferment wordnet
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A creamy Samoan dessert of ripe bananas mashed with coconut cream. uncountable
- 7 A traditional dance performed by Maori women involving the rhythmic swinging of such a ball. New-Zealand, countable, uncountable
- 8 Initialism of person of interest. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, person
- 9 Initialism of point of impact. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"It was a far cry from the traditional Hawaiian feast, which always included the beloved poi, a purplish paste made from pounded taro root […]."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "poi"?
Common synonyms include: landmark, location, place of interest, taro, taro mash, taro paste.
How do you use "poi" in a sentence?
It was a far cry from the traditional Hawaiian feast, which always included the beloved poi, a purplish paste made from pounded taro root […].
How do you pronounce "poi"?
Pronounced /ˌpiː ˌəʊ ˈaɪ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Hawaiian poi.
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Māori poi.