buka

B3U1K5A1

noun

The short introduction to a gamelan piece, generally played by a single instrument in a free rhythm, with the kendhang coming in on the last few notes to set the tempo.

OriginJavanese [Term?] →
UncommonScrabble 10
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Meanings

buka1

nounbuka (plural bukas)

plural bukas

  1. entertainmentThe short introduction to a gamelan piece, generally played by a single instrument in a free rhythm, with the kendhang coming in on the last few notes to set the tempo.

buka2

nounbuka (plural bukas)

plural bukas · alternative boka

  1. A kangaroo-skin cloak traditionally worn by the Noongar people of southwestern Australia.

buka3

nounbuka (plural bukas)

plural bukas · alternative bukka

  1. Nigeriaan inexpensive, quick, road-side restaurant serving Nigerian food.

    I made a noncommittal noise and looked round the buka. It was a Saturday afternoon. The place was empty, with the bare plastic tables showing oil and grease stains.

    2012, Chibundu Onuzo, The Spider King’s Daughter, Faber and Faber (2013), page 164

Buka4

proper noun
  1. The second-largest island in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, in eastern Papua New Guinea.

Origin

buka · noun

  1. Javanese[Term?]
  2. Englishbuka

From Javanese [Term?].

More words from Javanese

Full word history & related roots →

buka · noun

  1. Hausabúkkàa
  2. Yorubabúkà
  3. Englishbuka

Borrowed from Yoruba búkà or Hausa búkkàa.

More words from Yoruba, Hausa

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

baku
Cite this entry
APA

buka. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/buka

MLA

“buka.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/buka. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “buka,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/buka.

Source: buka on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.