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Definition of mahi

mahi

/ˈmɑːhi/
ma · hi
Plural:mahi
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mahi Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A commercially important surface-dwelling fish (Coryphaena hippurus) found in offshore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide, widely known as the dolphinfish or mahi-mahi; also refers to its meat used as seafood.

Example

"For dinner, the chef prepared a blackened mahi served with a fresh mango salsa."

2

New Zealand Work, employment, or a specific task or job that needs to be accomplished.

Example

"We have a lot of mahi to get through before the weekend begins."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mahi
Antonyms
View all antonyms for mahi

Word Nuance & Usage

In North America and culinary contexts, 'mahi' is typically a shortening of 'mahi-mahi' (the dolphinfish). In New Zealand English, it is a highly common borrowing from Te Reo Māori meaning 'work' or 'effort'.

• Rhymes for mahi

• Nearby Words

maharaja
mahatma
mahernia
mahi
mahi river
mahi-mahi
mahimahi

Word Origin & Etymology

The fish sense is a clipping of Hawaiian 'mahimahi', literally meaning 'very strong'. The New Zealand English sense is borrowed directly from the Māori noun 'mahi', meaning 'work', 'job', or 'activity'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mahi. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mahi
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