lei
8
6.1
- noun
- /leɪ/
:
lei
- Learn to play the ukulele or make a lei with Auntie Priscilla in cultural classes offered at the hotel.
Examples
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- They had a lei for me, too, but... it wilted by the time they got here.
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She received a lei from her friends as a warm welcome upon arriving in Hawaii.
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- Every customer gets a free lei.
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Hey, somebody, get me a lei!
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-Now, make sure everybody gets a lei.
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The woman lifted a lei of knotted hala leaves from around her own.
Fiction book (1995) -
Behind them sit an older, lei-wearing white pair, feeding each other calamari.
Fiction book (2002) -
A gorgeous hostess comes up to him, drapes a lei around his neck, and plants a kiss on his lips in welcome.
Fiction book (1997) -
Then Hoot hands me another lei he's been crushing in his hand all night.
Fiction book (1994) -
I imagined his ranching life with horses, a flower lei headband on his straw hat.
Academic text (2011)
Synonyms
61
3.1
A ring of flowers or leaves that people place as a decoration at ceremonies and funerals
25
4.2
A band of flowers or leaves used as a decoration
1
9.9
A small ring of flowers or leaves worn on the head
1
7.0
A circular band of laurel leaves worn on the head to show victory or honor
A ring of flowers or leaves worn on the head
Surface Forms
Etymology
Lei comes from the Hawaiian word lei, which means 'garland' or 'wreath'. That's why a lei is a flower necklace given as a welcome or a sign of affection.