hello

noun

hə-ˈlō How to pronounce hello (audio)
Definition of hellonext
as in salute
an expression of goodwill upon meeting we said our hellos and got right down to business

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hello Among the things rushing to the front of his mind could have been the introductory hellos and final goodbyes, the moments of hope followed only by pain-staking losses, the closing chapters of another regime gone by. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 26 May 2026 Tim Cook, who will pass Apple’s CEO baton to John Ternus September 1, brought the executive along to the company’s earnings call today to say a quick hello. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026 Even with a demanding schedule and constant travel, Saldaña prioritizes making time for what matters most—namely her three sons, her husband Marco Perego-Saldaña, and her dog Dolce, who all pop into view during our conversation to deliver a green juice, a quick hello, or a kiss on the cheek. — Grace McCarty, Glamour, 20 Apr. 2026 Reyes said a few elderly people at the home would occasionally sit outside and exchange brief hellos with her from time to time. — Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hello
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hello
  1. salute
  2. salutation
  3. greeting
  4. welcome
Noun
  • Soon, United’s supporters were singing this weird ditty in salute to a goalkeeper who could be, well, in the grand tradition of the position, eccentric.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • George’s arrival was celebrated with gun salutes, and bells at Westminster Abbey—where William and Kate had married over two years prior on April 29, 2011—tolled continuously for three hours in celebration of the future king’s arrival.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 July 2026
Definition of salute
Noun
  • Getting on your mat — at a CorePower outpost near you or from the comforts of home sweet home — and flowing through those sun salutations has never been more rewarding.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
  • That data appeared tied to Holland America's Mariner Society loyalty program and included names, dates of birth, email addresses, genders, geographic locations, salutations and loyalty program details.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2026
Definition of salutation
Noun
  • Fast-forward to Trooping the Colour 2025 when Prince George had a similar energy while greeting crowds during the annual parade.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 22 July 2026
  • Throughout the evening, the Parrish’s executive director, Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, could be found greeting guests, radiating positive energy and enthusiasm.
    — Vanessa Grigoriadis, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026
Definition of greeting
Noun
  • The Ukrainian president received a bipartisan hero’s welcome in Washington, contrasting with tense previous visits.
    — Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 29 July 2026
  • The bar is a quintessential neighborhood dive, its red brick exterior and patio a simple welcome to a space packed with character inside.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of welcome

Browse Nearby Words

hellishness
hello
hellos
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hello.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hello. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hello

Nglish: Translation of hello for Spanish Speakers

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