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Synonyms

hey

American  
[hey] / heɪ /

interjection

  1. (used as an exclamation to call attention or to express pleasure, surprise, bewilderment, etc.)

  2. Informal. hello: used as a greeting.


hey British  
/ heɪ /

interjection

  1. an expression indicating surprise, dismay, discovery, etc, or calling for another's attention

  2. an exclamation used for emphasis at the end of a statement, or alone to seek repetition or confirmation of another person's statement

  3. an exclamation used by conjurors to herald the climax of a trick

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hey

1150–1200; Middle English hei

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Hey, there’s someone down there,” one of the workers wearing an orange vest said, pointing into the sewer at West 88th Street and South Grand Avenue.

From Los Angeles Times

“The lights were just a fun way,” transit advocate Kevin Dedicatoria said, “to show, ‘Hey, here’s a bridge so you don’t have to play, ‘Dude, where’s my car?’ or have to worry about waiting for the bus.’”

From Los Angeles Times

“You could see it from miles away. And it’s like, hey, I know them — they’re part of the Dodgers. But not just that. They’re part of the minority. They’re Japanese players, we’re Hispanics, but we’re the same. We want to feel like we’re represented and we’re here. The world will see us, you know?”

From Los Angeles Times

“She said, ‘Hey, I have this new client.

From Los Angeles Times

But if I find a great deal, and it’s on call number seven, I’m going to call you up and say, “Hey, I think this is an amazing deal. You should take it, and I’m going to give you all the evidence why.”

From The Wall Street Journal