Hawaiian Verb · Everyday
ʻoniʻoni
Pronunciation: /O-nee-O-nee/
Meaning
To move slightly or to wiggle. Small, repetitive movements.
Example sentences
Ua ʻoniʻoni wale nā niho o ke pēpē i ka wā e ʻimi ana i ka waiū.
The baby's teeth were wiggling as it looked for milk.
Kuhikuhi mai ʻo ia i kona lima, a ʻōlelo mai, "E ʻoniʻoni iki kou mau manamana lima."
He pointed his hand and said, "Wiggle your fingers a little."
Hōʻoiaʻiʻo mai ka moʻo e holo ana ma luna o ka pōhaku, me ka ʻoniʻoni o kona huelo.
The lizard running on the rock confirmed its presence, with the wiggling of its tail.
About this word
“ʻoniʻoni” is a Hawaiian verb meaning To move slightly or to wiggle. It is part of the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) vocabulary in the category of Everyday. Definitions are based on the Pukui-Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary.