hello

noun

hel·​lo hə-ˈlō How to pronounce hello (audio)
he-
plural hellos
: an expression or gesture of greeting
used interjectionally in greeting, in answering the telephone, or to express surprise
hello there
waved hello

Examples of hello in a Sentence

They welcomed us with a warm hello. we said our hellos and got right down to business
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Another round of hellos are exchanged before talk turns to the restaurant. Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 5 Dec. 2024 The series’ first new installment in eight years is a reliably funny, sweet and wonderfully realized passing of the torch, with a paw in the past and another into the future — an elegant goodbye and a hello. Mark Kennedy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 There are polite hellos and comfortable understandings that the day will go on like any other family holiday, for the sake of being together on a special occasion. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024 Once flew across the country for a male cousin’s wedding and never got so much as a hello from either him or his wife. Erin Clack, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hello 

Word History

Etymology

alteration of hollo

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hello was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near hello

Cite this Entry

“Hello.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hello. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hello

noun
hel·​lo hə-ˈlō How to pronounce hello (audio)
he-
plural hellos
: an expression or gesture of greeting
used in greeting, in answering the telephone, or to express surprise

More from Merriam-Webster on hello

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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