Hello

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /həˈləʊ̯/, /hɛˈləʊ̯/
• US enPR: hÄ•-lō', IPA: /hɛˈloʊ̯/, /həˈloʊ̯/

• Rhymes: -əʊ

Alternative forms

• hallo
• hilloa obsolete
• hullo UK

Origin

Hello (first attested in 1833), from holla, hollo (attested 1588). This variant of hallo is often credited to Thomas Edison as a coinage for telephone use, but its appearance in print predates the invention of the telephone by several decades.

Possibly from the Old High German and Old Saxon verb halon, holon ("to bring something, to gather"), akin to English hale or hail.

Full definition of hello

Interjection

1. A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledge
   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?
• 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, Mr. Pratt's Patients Chapter 7, I made a speaking trumpet of my hands and commenced to whoop “Ahoy!” and “Hello!” at the top of my lungs. ... The Colonel woke up, and, after asking what in brimstone was the matter, opened his mouth and roared “Hi!” and “Hello!” like the bull of Bashan.
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?

Usage notes

The greeting hello is among the most generic and neutral in use. It may be heard in nearly all social situations and in nearly all walks of life, and is unlikely to cause offense.

Synonyms

• (greeting)
• AU, informal g'day, hey, hi,
• UK, informal hallo, hi, hiya, ey up
• US, informal hallo, hey, hi, howdy
• IE, informal how's it going, hey, hi
• SA, informal howzit
• slang wassup, what's up, yo, sup

Antonyms

• (greeting) bye, goodbye

Derived terms

• hello yourself, and see how you like it

Noun

1. "Hello!" or an equivalent greeting.
• 2007, April 29, Stephanie Rosenbloom, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, In many new buildings, though, neighbors are venturing beyond tight-lipped hellos at the mailbox.

Synonyms

• greeting

Verb

1. (transitive) To greet with "hello".
• 2013, Ivan Doig, English Creek (page 139)I had to traipse around somewhat, helloing people and being helloed, before I spotted my mother and my father, sharing shade and a spread blanket with Pete and Marie Reese and Toussaint Rennie near the back of the park.