Definition

Noun 1. The indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand (Aotearoa): The Maori are the original inhabitants of New Zealand, with a distinct culture, history, and social structure. 2. The Polynesian language spoken by the Maori people: The Maori language (te reo Māori) is an Eastern Polynesian language and an official language of New Zealand.

Examples

• Noun (referring to the people):
  • The Maori have a rich tradition of storytelling and carving.
  • She is proud of her Maori heritage.
• Noun (referring to the language):
  • He is learning to speak Maori.
  • Many place names in New Zealand are in Maori.

Advanced Usage

• As an adjective: While "Maori" is primarily a noun, it is commonly used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to the Maori people or culture.
  • Maori culture (the culture of the Maori people)
  • A Maori meeting house (a traditional communal house, a wharenui)
  • Maori traditions (the traditions of the Maori people)

Variants and Related Words

• Maoritanga (noun): A Maori concept encompassing Maori culture, customs, practices, and way of life.
• Pakeha (noun): A Maori term commonly used in New Zealand to refer to a New Zealander of European descent.

Synonyms

• Tangata whenua (noun phrase): A Maori term meaning "people of the land," used to refer to the indigenous people of a particular area, especially the Maori.
• Indigenous New Zealanders (noun phrase): A descriptive term for the Maori people.

Notes on Usage

• The word "Maori" is typically not pluralized with an "s" (e.g., , not ).
• In the Maori language, the word is correctly written with a macron over the "a" (Māori) to indicate a long vowel sound. This diacritical mark is increasingly used in English contexts to show respect for the language.

Noun

1. the Oceanic language spoken by the Maori in New Zealand
2. an ethnic minority of Polynesian and Melanesian descent who speak Maori and live in New Zealand