rongorongo

R1O1N1G2O1R1O1N1G2O1
UK/ˌɹɒŋəʊˈɹɒŋəʊ/

noun

An early glyphic writing system of Easter Island, written in reverse boustrophedon and as yet undeciphered.

“Rongorongo glyph 700 , which resembles a fish, is written on many human skulls. It is thought that it may stand for ika, which means "fish" or "war casualty" in Rapa Nui.”

OriginRapa Nui roŋoroŋo →
First used 20th c.Scrabble 12
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Meanings

nounrongorongo (uncountable)
  1. uncountableAn early glyphic writing system of Easter Island, written in reverse boustrophedon and as yet undeciphered.First known use 20th c.

    Rongorongo glyph 700 , which resembles a fish, is written on many human skulls. It is thought that it may stand for ika, which means "fish" or "war casualty" in Rapa Nui.

Origin

  1. Rapa Nuiroŋoroŋo“to recite, chant”
  2. Englishrongorongo

Borrowed from Rapa Nui roŋoroŋo (“to recite, chant”), a reduplicated form of roŋo (“message”).

More words from Rapa Nui

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish rongorongo
  • rongorongowriting system

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Ngorongoro
Cite this entry
APA

rongorongo. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rongorongo

MLA

“rongorongo.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rongorongo. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rongorongo,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rongorongo.

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