hello

[ he-loh, huh-, hel-oh ]

interjection

1. (used to express a greeting, answer a telephone, or attract attention.)
2. (an exclamation of surprise, wonder, elation, etc.)
3. (used derisively to question the comprehension, intelligence, or common sense of the person being addressed):

   You're gonna go out with him? Hello!

noun

plural hellos.

1. the call “hello” (used as an expression of greeting):

   She gave me a warm hello.

verb (used without object)

helloed, helloing.

1. to say “hello”; to cry or shout:

   I helloed, but no one answered.

verb (used with object)

helloed, helloing.

1. to say “hello” to (someone):

   We helloed each other as though nothing had happened.

hello

/ hə-; ˈhɛləʊ; hɛˈləʊ /

sentence substitute

1. an expression of greeting used on meeting a person or at the start of a telephone call
2. a call used to attract attention
3. an expression of surprise
4. an expression used to indicate that the speaker thinks his or her listener is naive or slow to realize something

   Hello? Have you been on Mars for the past two weeks or something?

noun

1. the act of saying or calling "hello"

Word History and Origins

Origin of hello¹

First recorded in 1865–70; variant of hallo

Word History and Origins

Origin of hello¹

C19: see hallo

Example Sentences

Holding back the tears, McIlroy added: "I want to say hello to mum and dad back in Northern Ireland. I can't wait to see them next week and can't wait to celebrate with them."

From BBC

"They always come and say hello, they're polite. These are the sort of people we want on our trains."

From BBC

“You hanging out with Mom? Tell Ky I said hello. I’m glad everything’s going great.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nonetheless, he created earworms like the horn-powered “hello!” and the hypnotic “forever&more,” which individually have around 50 million Spotify streams.

From Los Angeles Times

Other people walking past would say hello, and Nik says that the sense of community is still strong five years later.

From BBC