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Synonyms

lei

1 American  
[ley, ley-ee] / leɪ, ˈleɪ i /

noun

plural

leis

  1. (in the Hawaiian Islands) a wreath of flowers, leaves, etc., for the neck or head.

lei 2 American  
[ley] / leɪ /

noun

  1. plural of leu.

lei 1 British  
/ leɪ /

noun

  1. (in Hawaii) a garland of flowers, worn around the neck

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
lei 2 British  
/ leɪ /

noun

  1. the plural of leu

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of lei

Borrowed into English from Hawaiian around 1835–45

Explanation

In Hawaii, a sweet-smelling garland of flowers is called a lei. Traditional hula dancers often wear elaborate leis made of ferns, leaves, and blossoms. Leis are such an important part of Hawaiian culture that May 1 is known as "Lei Day" and is celebrated across all the islands. It's also customary to give leis to special guests, brides and grooms, funeral mourners, retirees, and people celebrating birthdays. The custom extends to other parts of Polynesia, including Samoa and Tahiti. The Hawaiian root of lei means "ornament worn about the neck or head."

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Vocabulary lists containing lei

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Dragonfruit

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A white lei hung around her neck as she attempted to balance her champion’s plaque awkwardly in one hand.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2025

In return he promised monthly top-up payments of 5,000 Moldovan lei to pensioners, or about £200.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2024

Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu draped lei on the fence.

From Washington Times • Oct. 25, 2023

“Aloha” is for hello and goodbye, or for love and affection — a word with the warmth of a hug and the beauty of a lei.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 26, 2023

“I don’t want to be lei off the hook.”

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.