hello — English Dictionary

Interjection

1. A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence.

   Examples

   Hello, everyone.

2. A greeting used when answering the telephone.

   Examples

   Hello? How may I help you?

   Hello. This is Marsha. ― Yes, Marsha.

3. A call for response if it is not clear if anyone is present or listening, or if a telephone conversation may have been disconnected.

   Examples

   Hello? Is anyone there?

   More examples (1)

   I made a speaking trumpet of my hands and commenced to whoop “Ahoy!” and “Hello!” at the top of my lungs. […] The Colonel woke up, and, after asking what in brimstone was the matter, opened his mouth and roared “Hi!” and “Hello!” like the bull of Bashan.

4. Used sarcastically to imply that the person addressed has done something the speaker considers to be foolish, or missed something that should have been obvious.

   Usage

   • Colloquial

   Examples

   You just tried to start your car with your cell phone. Hello?

   Dionne: Hello? There was a stop sign. Cher: I totally paused.

   More examples (1)

   Uh, hello? We're using a CANNON to get to the moon? Isn't that, like, dangerous?

5. An expression of puzzlement or discovery.

   Usage

   • UK usage

   Examples

   Hello! What’s going on here?

Noun

1. "Hello!" or an equivalent greeting.

   Synonyms

   greeting

   Examples

   They gave each other a quick hello when they met, and went back on their merry ways.

   In many new buildings, though, neighbors are venturing beyond tight-lipped hellos at the mailbox.

Verb

1. To greet (someone) with "hello".

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   She is there guarding and looking after the candy and the children generally, and she helloes and renders an exclamation that Maidie is crossing the street.

   He helloes to my daughter:[…]

   More examples (2)

   ‘Hello Minka! Great to meet you!’ Minka seems nonplussed at what I thought was an uncontroversial opening remark. There’s an awkward pause. She then helloes me back. But that’s all I get.

   I had to traipse around somewhat, helloing people and being helloed, before I spotted my mother and my father, sharing shade and a spread blanket with Pete and Marie Reese and Toussaint Rennie near the back of the park.

Noun

1. an expression of greeting

   Synonyms

   hullohihowdyhow-do-you-do

   Broader terms

   greetingsalutation

   Examples

   every morning they exchanged polite hellos