greet

¹

[ greet ]

verb (used with object)

1. to address with some form of salutation; welcome.

   Synonyms: accost, hail

2. to meet or receive:

   to be greeted by cheering crowds; to greet a proposal with boos and hisses.

3. to manifest itself to:

   Music greeted his ear as he entered the salon.

verb (used without object)

1. Obsolete. to give salutations on meeting.

greet

²

[ greet ]

verb (used without object)

1. to grieve; lament; cry.

verb (used with object)

1. to lament; bewail.

greet

¹

/ ɡriːt /

verb

1. intr to weep; lament

noun

1. weeping; lamentation

greet

²

/ ɡriːt /

verb

1. to meet or receive with expressions of gladness or welcome
2. to send a message of friendship to
3. to receive in a specified manner

   her remarks were greeted by silence

4. to become apparent to

   the smell of bread greeted him

Other Words From

• greeter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of greet¹

before 900; Middle English greten, Old English grētan; cognate with German grüssen

Origin of greet²

before 900; Middle English grete, Old English grǣtan; cognate with ON grāta, Gothic gretan

Word History and Origins

Origin of greet¹

from Old English grētan, northern dialect variant of grætan; compare Old Norse grāta, Middle High German grazen

Origin of greet²

Old English grētan; related to Old High German gruozzen to address

Example Sentences

As she walked through Fresno’s version of Skid Row, homeless residents waved in greeting from the tents and tarps lining both sides of the street.

From Los Angeles Times

On a street in the north London neighborhood of Tottenham, the greeting “Welcome to Lagos” is printed on the door of Chuku’s.

From New York Times

The guttural roar which greeted her winning crosscourt forehand on match point indicated Raducanu's satisfaction, as did the beaming smile across her face as she handed out high fives to the whole British team afterwards.

From BBC

He strode into the postgame press conference room with an easy smile while offering the sort of what’s-up greeting that one doesn’t normally get from nervous young quarterbacks.

From Los Angeles Times

Jones celebrated by dancing in the centre of the octagon, before heading over to greet Trump, handing the president-elect his title.

From BBC

Related Words

• accost
• acknowledge
• address
• approach
• attend
• embrace
• hail
• meet
• receive
• salute
• shake hands
• stop