noun
Uncommon
lei
lay
Lei (noun) means a garland made of flowers, leaves, or shells, traditionally worn around the neck in Hawaii as a sign of welcome or celebration. Example: “She was greeted at the airport with a lei of fresh orchids.”
noun
1
A garland made of flowers, leaves, or shells, traditionally worn around the neck in Hawaii as a sign of welcome or celebration.
"She was greeted at the airport with a lei of fresh orchids."
"Guests at the luau each received a lei made of plumeria."
How to use lei
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flower garland, especially the kind draped over your shoulders as a Hawaiian greeting.
Common pairings
flower lei
given a lei
lei ceremony
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Word forms
- Plural
- leis
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was greeted at the airport with a _____ of fresh orchids.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Hawaiian lei.
Related words
Rhymes for lei
See all rhymes for lei →Frequently asked questions
What does “lei” mean?
The word “lei” means a garland made of flowers, leaves, or shells, traditionally worn around the neck in Hawaii as a sign of welcome or celebration. In plain terms, a flower garland, especially the kind draped over your shoulders as a Hawaiian greeting.
How do you pronounce “lei”?
“Lei” is pronounced lay (/leɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lei” in a sentence?
Here is “lei” used in a sentence: “She was greeted at the airport with a lei of fresh orchids.”
What part of speech is “lei”?
“Lei” is a noun.
Is “lei” a common word?
“Lei” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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