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

"I was going out with my son and he said 'hello how are you?' and so on. He always let on."

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Everyone is greeted with a hello and a hug.

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Her hand-stitched Hawoo had not been intended as a howl at all but was merely her own way of writing “hello” so that the word would sound the way she liked to say it.

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“That is to say, hello, to all current and former Swanburne girls, to the faculty, and to the esteemed board of trustees. Hello, hello, hello! Thank you all, so much, for coming here today.”

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“Oh, hello!” my mother answered, ushering Mrs. Leftwich into our home.

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