hello

UK: həˈləʊ | US: həˈloʊ

Definition

  1. n. a greeting or expression of goodwill

  2. vt. to greet someone with the word "hello"

  3. interj. used to attract attention or begin a conversation

Structure
hollo <to shout>
Etymology

The word "hello" originated in the 19th century as a variant of "holla" or "hallo," which were earlier shouts to attract attention (e.g., "holla!" meant "stop!" or "listen!"). It gained popularity with the invention of the telephone, as Thomas Edison suggested "hello" as the standard greeting when answering calls, replacing Alexander Graham Bell's preferred "ahoy." The word's cheerful and clear pronunciation made it ideal for communication.

Examples

  1. She gave a cheerful hello to everyone in the room.

  2. Hello! Is anyone there?

  3. He picked up the phone and said, "Hello?"

  4. The teacher greeted the students with a warm hello.

  5. Hello, could you help me with this problem?