hey

[hey]

interjection

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

2. Informal.,  hello: used as a greeting.

hey

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hey¹

1150–1200; Middle English hei

Word History and Origins

Origin of hey¹

C13: compare Old French hay, German hei, Swedish hej

Example Sentences

“I realized, ‘Hey, this guy’s really cute and funny and sweet,’ and so we started seeing each other,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

“But, to Kersh’s credit, he cuts off that timidness in a way by saying, ‘Hey, I’m here to win, whatever it takes,’” Friedman said.

From Los Angeles Times

But to his credit, he cut it off really early and just said, ‘Hey, I just want to be part of this and help this team win, whatever way I can.’

From Los Angeles Times

"I don't think she should've done it. But, hey, freedom of expression, I guess."

From BBC

“Hey, sugar,” says a young woman as I near the warehouse’s main bar, a wraparound establishment themed to a large boiler.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cry 
• exclamation 
• expletive 
• insertion 
• interpolation 
• interposition 
• shout