hello

[he-loh, huh-, hel-oh]

interjection

1. (used to express a greeting, answer a telephone, or attract attention.)

2. (an exclamation of surprise, wonder, elation, etc.)

3. (used derisively to question the comprehension, intelligence, or common sense of the person being addressed).

   You're gonna go out with him? Hello!

noun

plural

hellos 

1. the call “hello” (used as an expression of greeting).

   She gave me a warm hello.

verb (used without object)

helloed, helloing 

1. to say “hello”; to cry or shout.

   I helloed, but no one answered.

verb (used with object)

helloed, helloing 

1. to say “hello” to (someone).

   We helloed each other as though nothing had happened.

hello

/ hə-, ˈhɛləʊ, hɛˈləʊ /

1. an expression of greeting used on meeting a person or at the start of a telephone call

2. a call used to attract attention

3. an expression of surprise

4. an expression used to indicate that the speaker thinks his or her listener is naive or slow to realize something

   Hello? Have you been on Mars for the past two weeks or something?

noun

1. the act of saying or calling "hello"

Word History and Origins

Origin of hello¹

First recorded in 1865–70; variant of hallo

Word History and Origins

Origin of hello¹

C19: see _hallo

Example Sentences

When former President Bill Clinton made his way across the tarmac in Phoenix to say hello to Attorney General Loretta Lynch during his wife’s 2016 presidential campaign, it was a national story.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He said it wasn't a formal meeting, "it was just like a quick, 'hello, goodbye'".

Read more on BBC

But they all stopped what they were doing when Roz waved and said hello.

Read more on Literature

"I get recognised in the streets sometimes and people say, 'Oh, hello, Bus Aunty.' I never thought people would be stopping me in my wildest dreams and it's taken some getting used to."

Read more on BBC

“I am trying to relish his occasional smiles, his rare hellos.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal