Hello: meaning, definitions and examples

Casual or informal greeting suitable in relaxed or familiar settings.

• Hello, Emma! Hello there!

Informal greeting that is slightly less casual than 'hey' and is often used in both spoken and written contexts.

• Hi, Sarah
• Hi everyone!

Very informal greeting commonly used among friends or peers, often conveys a sense of familiarity or casualness.

• Hey, what's up? Hey, did you see the game last night?

Informal, regional greeting, often associated with the Southern United States or cowboy culture.

• Howdy, partner! Howdy, y'all!

Informal and friendly way to greet someone in person, over the phone, or in written communication.

• Hello! How have you been?
• Hello, this is Jane speaking.

General term for any expression of welcome or acknowledgement, often used in formal or written contexts.

• He began his speech with a formal greeting.
• The letter started with a warm greeting.

Formal way to describe the opening greeting in a letter or speech. Often used in business or formal communication.

• The email began with the salutation 'Dear Sir or Madam'.
• A proper salutation is important in professional emails.

Used to greet someone arriving at a location, event, or new situation, making them feel accepted and appreciated.

• Welcome to our home!
• The host greeted everyone with a warm 'welcome'.