interjection

hey

HAY/heɪ/

A call directing someone's attention to the speaker.

"Hey," the man calls, raising his hand to get the woman's attention.

An older man raises an open hand and calls a friendly greeting to a passing woman, who turns toward him with a welcoming smile.

Etymology

Middle English hei served as a forceful call, including challenge or anger, and was possibly a natural expression. Modern hey often softens that force into greeting, attention-getting, or surprise.

In context

Searchers of the Lost2:39

hey where can I get one of those I want one of those outfits

The Matrix and the Cassock: Why Priests Dress The Way They Do

More examples

Hey, Maya, do you have a minute?
Hey, you dropped your keys!
Hey, everyone, listen to this.

Similar words

hello: Hello usually greets people rather than simply drawing their attention.
psst: Psst quietly attracts attention, often without alerting other people.