greet

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈgrēt 

greeted; greeting; greets

transitive verb

1

: to address with expression of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival

greeted guests at the door

2

a

: to meet or react to in a specified manner

greeted him with boos

b

: to occur as a response to

apathy greeted the plan

3

: to be seen or experienced by

a chaotic scene greeted them

were greeted by snow upon arrival at the airport

greeter noun

greet

2 of 2

verb (2)

grat ˈgrat  ; grutten ˈgrə-tᵊn 

intransitive verb

Scotland

: weep, lament

Examples of greet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Entry has been moved to the garden, where you’re greeted by a hostess who escorts you into an antechamber with a bar, and you’re invited to order a pre-dinner cocktail. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Only Sheinbaum and Lee Jae Myung appeared on the presidential balcony and stepped out to the building’s entrance to greet those who had gathered in the Zócalo, as shown in videos that have gone viral on social media. — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

As community members toured the building, faculty member Steven Wood greeted guests in his classroom. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

After being greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and a courtesy visit to Élysée Palace on Friday, Pope Leo is scheduled to make 15 speeches during his visit. — Tyler Speicher , Courtney Walsh, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English greten, from Old English grētan; akin to Old English grǣtan to weep

Verb (2)

Middle English greten, from Old English grǣtan; akin to Old Norse grāta to weep

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing greet

• meet and greet

Rhymes for greet

• beat
• beet
• bleat
• cheat
• cleat
• creat
• deet
• eat
• feat
• feet
• fleet
• heat

Kids Definition

greet

verb

ˈgrēt

1

: to address upon arrival or meeting with expressions of kind wishes

greeted guests at the door

2

: to meet or react to in a specified manner

greeted with cheers

3

: to appear or present itself to

a surprising sight greeted her eyes

greeter noun