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

Staff greet you by name, offer local tips, and respond via text for anything from housekeeping to bike reservations. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Rather than relying on a consistent pattern—always warmly greet, put a smile in your voice, thank the customer—organizations too often require a precise, predictable script. — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Setting a new standard This June, Penn State football players lined the on-campus baseball stadium to greet athletes competing in the Pennsylvania Special Olympics. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Every now and then, a cheer rippled through as players entered the stands to greet fans and sign autographs. — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 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