Word
lei
US/ˈɫeɪ/
UK/lˈeɪ/
Definition
n. a circle of flowers or leaves that people wear around their neck. It is a famous symbol of welcome and friendship in Hawaii.
n. a wreath or garland of flowers, leaves, or other materials, typically worn around the neck. Associated primarily with Polynesian cultures, particularly in Hawaii, as a symbol of affection or greeting.
Examples
“The hotel staff gave each guest a beautiful flower lei.”
“Upon arriving in Honolulu, the visitors were greeted with a traditional lei made of fragrant jasmine flowers.”
“While the most recognizable version is the floral garland, a lei can also be crafted from shells, feathers, or bone to signify different levels of social status or specific ceremonial intentions.”
Examples
simple
“The hotel staff gave each guest a beautiful flower lei.”
contextual
“Upon arriving in Honolulu, the visitors were greeted with a traditional lei made of fragrant jasmine flowers.”
complex
“While the most recognizable version is the floral garland, a lei can also be crafted from shells, feathers, or bone to signify different levels of social status or specific ceremonial intentions.”
Usage
The plural form is typically 'lei' or 'leis'.
Etymology
Borrowed from Hawaiian lei.
Borrowed from Romanian lei.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lei