Hi

Pronunciation

• IPA: /haɪ/
• Rhymes: -aɪ
• Homophones: hie, high

Alternative forms

• heigh

Origin

American English (first recorded reference is to speech of a Kansas Indian), originally to attract attention, probably a variant of Middle English hy, hey (circa 1475) also an exclamation to call attention.

Interjection

1. A friendly, informal, casual greeting said when meeting someone.
   Hi, how are you?
   I just dropped by to say “hi”.
2. An exclamation to call attention.
• 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.

Synonyms

• (friendly informal greeting) hello

Adjective

1. , often hyphenated.Get hi-quality videos here!Next, set the burner to hi''.

Derived terms

• hi-tech
• hi-lo
• hi-five

Related terms

• lo
• mid

Noun

1. "Hi" or similar greeting.

Synonyms

• greeting, hello

Anagrams

• IH