Definition of "hello"

hello

/həˈləʊ/

interjection
1. A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence.
2. A greeting used when answering the telephone.
  Quotations
  Hello. This is Marsha. ― Yes, Marsha. Audio (US)(file)
  2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
3. A call for response if it is not clear if anyone is present or listening, or if a telephone conversation may have been disconnected.
  Quotations
  I made a speaking trumpet of my hands and commenced to whoop “Ahoy!” and “Hello!” at the top of my lungs. […] The Colonel woke up, and, after asking what in brimstone was the matter, opened his mouth and roared “Hi!” and “Hello!” like the bull of Bashan.
  1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 7, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
4. (colloquial) Used sarcastically to imply that the person addressed has done something the speaker considers to be foolish, or missed something that should have been obvious.
5. (chiefly UK) An expression of puzzlement or discovery.
noun
plural hellos or helloes
1. "Hello!" or an equivalent greeting.
  Quotations
  In many new buildings, though, neighbors are venturing beyond tight-lipped hellos at the mailbox.
  2007 April 29, Stephanie Rosenbloom, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, in New York Times‎
verb
third-person singular simple present hellos or helloes, present participle helloing, simple past and past participle helloed
1. (transitive) To greet with "hello".
  Quotations
  She is there guarding and looking after the candy and the children generally, and she helloes and renders an exclamation that Maidie is crossing the street.
  1891, Records and Briefs in Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of Minnesota, page 227
  He helloes to my daughter: […]
  1927, Ohio State Engineer, page 18
  ‘Hello Minka! Great to meet you!’ Minka seems nonplussed at what I thought was an uncontroversial opening remark. There’s an awkward pause. She then helloes me back. But that’s all I get.
  2012, Mark Dolan, Do You Mind if I Put My Hand on it?: Journeys into the Worlds of the Weird, HarperCollinsPublishers
  I had to traipse around somewhat, helloing people and being helloed, before I spotted my mother and my father, sharing shade and a spread blanket with Pete and Marie Reese and Toussaint Rennie near the back of the park.
  2013, Ivan Doig, English Creek, page 139

Definition of "hello"

hello

interjection

Quotations

Quotations

noun

Quotations

verb

Quotations