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

Volunteers awarded every attendee a bingo card with entries like “I said hello to a baker who made a chocolate cake” and “I introduced myself to 3 new people.”

From The Wall Street Journal

That familiarity was evident as nearly every pedestrian waved or said hello, many greeting him like an old friend.

From Los Angeles Times

Both socially awkward, Watson approached him sitting alone at orientation and said hello.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then, the residential director grabbed him to come say hello to some residents.

From The Wall Street Journal

“People. Students. Hello, hello, hello. Let’s all quiet down, shall we?”

From Literature