greet

¹ American  

[greet] / grit /

verb (used with object)

1. to address with some form of salutation; welcome.

   Synonyms:

   accost, hail

2. to meet or receive.

   to be greeted by cheering crowds; to greet a proposal with boos and hisses.

3. to manifest itself to.

   Music greeted his ear as he entered the salon.

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verb (used without object)

1. Obsolete. to give salutations on meeting.

greet ² American  

[greet] / grit /

verb (used without object)

1. to grieve; lament; cry.

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verb (used with object)

1. to lament; bewail.

greet ¹ British  

/ ɡriːt /

verb

1. to meet or receive with expressions of gladness or welcome

2. to send a message of friendship to

3. to receive in a specified manner

   her remarks were greeted by silence

4. to become apparent to

   the smell of bread greeted him

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greet ² British  

/ ɡriːt /

verb

1. (intr) to weep; lament

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noun

1. weeping; lamentation

Other Word Forms

• greeter noun

Etymology

Origin of greet¹

before 900; Middle English greten, Old English grētan; cognate with German grüssen

Origin of greet²

before 900; Middle English grete, Old English grǣtan; cognate with ON grāta, Gothic gretan

Example Sentences

Ms. Hasina’s ouster was greeted with widespread optimism in the West.

From The Wall Street Journal

As we drive farther from the highway, a strip mall comes into view, and a faded red-and-white sign greets us with block letters.

From Literature

He held the box over his head, ready to greet his friends, but they were shouting at him and waving their arms.

From Literature

Moose heard Jonathan coming and came to greet him.

From Literature

Upon entering the abode, guests are greeted with a large space with an open floor plan that is accentuated by the arches in the walls.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• accost
• acknowledge
• address
• approach
• attend
• embrace
• hail
• meet
• receive
• salute
• shake hands
• stop