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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of hey

1150–1200; Middle English hei

Example Sentences

“Kuammmggg right? Hey, have a seat!”

From Salon

“Hey, Kuannnggmmm. I hope you come back for another class, buddy.”

From Salon

But hey, as least she does avoid charges of hypocrisy.

From Salon

“If you went to the average auto-mechanic shop and were like, ‘Hey, you want every tool ever, almost infinite supplies, and you can do whatever you want?’ they’d be like, ‘Yeah, sure, how do I do that?’” said Wahlin.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hey, he told Wilhite, come work out with me.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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