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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.

See Examples For:

And hey, it’s free, at least at the front of the plane.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 7, 2026

But hey, defending a toddler is a good start.

From Salon Aug. 7, 2026

“But hey, whatever’s resonating, whatever brings a little bit of joy. Whatever brings a little bit of that stick it to ’em,” she said, doing the thing.

From Slate Jul. 30, 2026

The Napoli midfielder with the Midas Touch probably just waved his hand over his stomach and, hey presto, he was healed.

From BBC Jun. 13, 2026

“Yess, dot’s right, Booster; it vuz seven hey hem!”

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

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