A garland of flowers in Hawaii.
"The travelers exchanged their lei for local currency at the market in Romania."
plural of leu
In plain English: A lei is a decorative garland of flowers, leaves, or other materials that people wear around their necks for celebrations and special occasions.
"She wore a bright flower lei for her wedding ceremony in Hawaii."
A surname, from Chinese.
"Lei is a common Chinese surname shared by many famous individuals in China."
The word lei was borrowed directly into English from the Hawaiian language to describe a garland of flowers or leaves worn around the neck as part of traditional dress and celebration. Its usage in English reflects its cultural significance rather than an evolution from a different original meaning, preserving its identity as a distinct loanword.