hello

American  

[he-loh, huh-, hel-oh] / hɛˈloʊ, hə-, ˈhɛl oʊ /

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!

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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 British  

/ 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?

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noun

1. the act of saying or calling "hello"

Etymology

Origin of hello

First recorded in 1865–70; variant of hallo

Example Sentences

Nathan would say hello to Guthrie when he passed her on the street, but said he didn’t know her personally.

From The Wall Street Journal

At least four people in line have written books about the case, including Hirsch, co-author of a book with juror Amie Williams, who dialed in on FaceTime to say hello to old acquaintances.

From The Wall Street Journal

She called hello to Emma a little while ago, but this is our first official meeting.

From Literature

“Well, hello,” I heard a low, friendly voice say.

From Literature

“Dr. Tam’s office,” she said, waving hello at Bat as he walked by.

From Literature