koa
koa Lexical Profile
koa Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The durable, highly figured reddish-brown hardwood yielded by the koa tree, widely prized by luthiers and woodworkers for crafting ukuleles, acoustic guitars, and fine furniture.
"The luthier selected a beautifully figured set of solid koa for the back and sides of the custom acoustic guitar."
American A large, fast-growing, canopy-forming evergreen tree (Acacia koa) native entirely to the Hawaiian Islands, characterized by its crescent-shaped phyllodes and ecological importance in native forests.
"Conservationists are working diligently to restore the native koa forests on the slopes of Mauna Kea."
• Rhymes for koa
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Hawaiian 'koa', which also carries the meaning of 'warrior', 'brave', or 'fearless'. Historically, the durable wood of this tree was used by Native Hawaiians to construct outrigger canoes, surfboards, and weapons.