hello

interjection

1. A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence.

- Hello, everyone.

2. A greeting used when answering the telephone.

- Hello? How may I help you?

3. A call for response if it is not clear if anyone is present or listening, or if a telephone conversation may have been disconnected.

- Hello? Is anyone there?

4. (colloquial) Used sarcastically to imply that the person addressed or referred to has done something the speaker or writer considers to be foolish.

- You just tried to start your car with your cell phone. Hello?

5. An expression of puzzlement or discovery.

- Hello! What’s going on here?

noun

1. an expression of greeting

- every morning they exchanged polite hellos

Similar word(s): hi, howdy, hullo

Definition categories: communication, greeting, salutation

verb

1. (transitive) To greet with "hello".