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Dictionaryhellogreeting
interjection / noun

hello

huh-LOH/həˈləʊ/

A spoken call acknowledging people or drawing their attention.

The neighbors wave and say hello when they meet.

Two neighbors wave in greeting as they meet, friendly expression.
Etymology
helloEnglishshout to attract attention

Hallo was a shout for attracting attention. Its use developed into a greeting, and hello became especially popular as the word used to answer a telephone.

In context

Aeon Video1:23
Hello Brian, this is Rita, the landlord. Um Brian, [clears throat] excuse me.
Living under the eye of an intrusive landlady | One Year Lease

More examples

  • She answers the phone with a cheerful hello.
  • He calls hello through the doorway to get someone's attention.
  • We exchange quick hellos before the meeting starts.

Forms

hello · hellos

Similar words

hi
A more casual greeting, less suited to calling for attention.
hey
A more informal call that can sound abrupt or demanding.