Dictionary

hello en · INTJ

Pronunciation

/hɛˈloʊ/ (General-American)
hə-lō'
/həˈləʊ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/həˈləʉ/ (Australia)
/həˈloʊ/ (General-American)
(UK) audio
hĕ-lō'
(Australia) audio
/həˈlo(w)/ (South-Asia)
/haˈlaʊ/ (Northumbria)
/həˈloː/ (Canada)
/hɛˈloː/ (Canada)
/ˈhɛlo/ (Canada)
/hɛˈləʊ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/ˈhɛloʊ/ (General-American)
/ˈhɛloː/ (Canada)

Etymology

First attested in 1826. 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. Ultimately from a variant of Old English ēalā, such as hēlā, which was used colloquially at the time similarly to how hey and (in some dialects) hi are used nowadays. Thus, equivalent to a compound of hey and lo. Used when drawing attention to yourself. Possibly influenced by Old Saxon halo, imperative of halōn (“to call, fetch”), used in hailing a ferryman, akin to Old High German hala, hola!, imperative forms of halōn, holōn (“to fetch”). For more information, see hallo. The Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary also suggested that it is a variant of holla, a variant of holloo. Further beyond, the origin remains uncertain. OED and Merriam-Webster suggested that it has a connection between hallow (“to shout, to cry out loud”), which came from Old French holloer, which, according to Altfranzösisches Wörterbuch, is from Old Saxon halōn.

Meanings

A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence.
- Hello, everyone.
A greeting used when answering the telephone.
- Hello. This is Marsha. ― Yes, Marsha. 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
- Hello? How may I help you?
A call for response if it is not clear if anyone is present or listening, or if a telephone conversation may have been disconnected.
- 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. 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
- Hello? Is anyone there?
(colloquial) Used sarcastically to imply that the person addressed has done something the speaker considers to be foolish, or missed something that should have been obvious.
- You just tried to start your car with your cell phone. Hello?
- Uh, hello? We're using a CANNON to get to the moon? Isn't that, like, dangerous? 2004, Intelligent Systems, translated by Nintendo of America, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Nintendo, GameCube, level/area: Rogueport:
- Dionne: Hello? There was a stop sign. Cher: I totally paused. 1995, Amy Heckerling, Clueless, spoken by Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash), spoken by Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone):
(UK) An expression of puzzlement or discovery.
- Hello! What’s going on here?

Forms

Spelling	Labels	Source
hilloa	alternative, obsolete	lexicographic
hullo	UK, alternative	lexicographic
hollo	UK, alternative, dated	lexicographic
hallo	UK, alternative, dated	lexicographic

Translations (889)

ml നമസ്കാരം (greeting) · cdo 汝好 (greeting) · saq oyie (greeting) · os байрай (greeting) · mww nyob zoo (greeting) · zza elo (when answering the telephone) · ja やれやれだぜ (sarcastic: that was foolish) · kn ತುಳಿಲು (greeting) · et hallo (when answering the telephone) · ar مَرحَبا (greeting) · ngh ǃʻhûua (greeting) · krl terveh (greeting) · sv hallå (greeting) · nds hoi (greeting) · got 𐌷𐌰𐌹𐌻𐍃 (greeting) · kbd уузыншэм (greeting) · da god dag (greeting) · zh 有人嗎？ /有人吗？ (is anyone there?) · sv men hallå (expression of puzzlement) · jam wah gwaan (greeting) · zza way (diq) (expression of puzzlement) · zh 好 (greeting) · haw aloha (greeting) · kri kushɛ (greeting) · fa سَلام عَلِیْکُم (greeting) · lad saludos (greeting) · th สวัสดีค่ะ (greeting) · sv hej (when answering the telephone) · km ជម្រាបសួរ (greeting) · fo góðan dag (greeting) · fa هَلو (when answering the telephone) · kk сәлеметсіздер (greeting) · su halo (greeting) · uk чоло́м (greeting) · ne हेलो (when answering the telephone) · sv tjena (greeting) · nl hai (greeting) · sat ᱡᱚᱦᱟᱨ (greeting) · bn সালাম (greeting) · sh молим (when answering the telephone) · et halloo! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · eo hola (is anyone there?) · lez салам (greeting) · cy dydd da (greeting) · hu észnél vagy? (sarcastic: that was foolish) · nds gode(n) dag (greeting) · tk allo (when answering the telephone) · es ¡Hola! ¿Hay alguien? (is anyone there?) · jam ello (when answering the telephone) · it ciao (greeting) · mh yokwe (greeting) · de Tag (greeting) · saq kejua (greeting) · ja おーい (is anyone there?) · nl dag (greeting) · mg alô (when answering the telephone) · mnw မ္ၚဵုရအဴ (greeting) · scn cu' è? (when answering the telephone) · zh 你好 (greeting) · vo glidis (greeting) · ug ئەسسالامۇ ئەلەيكۇم (when answering the telephone) · vi a-lô (when answering the telephone) · hi हलो (when answering the telephone) · ngh nǃʻhongowe (greeting) · pot bozho (greeting) · gl ola (greeting) · sl hêj! (expression of puzzlement) · mi tēnā kōrua (greeting) · ja もしもし (is anyone there?) · uk добри́день (greeting) · lad bonjur (greeting) · alt эзен (greeting) · tl oi (greeting) · ps السلام عليکم (greeting) · rsk здраво (greeting) · ja マジ？ (sarcastic: that was foolish) · pt estou (when answering the telephone) · acm هلو (greeting) · sl pozdravljeni (greeting) · hi हैलो (when answering the telephone) · lt labas (greeting) · pl dzień dobry (greeting) · alt селем (greeting) · da hallo! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · sah эҕэрдэ (greeting) · sh изволите (when answering the telephone) · aqc салам алейкум (greeting) · es diga (when answering the telephone) · tr esenlikler (greeting) · sq përshëndetje (greeting) · es ¿aló? (is anyone there?) · ro salut (greeting) · ale aang (greeting) · bg здраве́йте (greeting) · nds hallo (greeting) · nb hallo (greeting) · cay sgę́꞉nǫʼ (greeting) · ast hola (greeting) · tl sino po nandyan? (is anyone there?) · id halo (when answering the telephone) · or ହ୍ୟାଲୋ (when answering the telephone) · si හලෝ (greeting) · io hola (greeting) · de sali (greeting) · sh bok (greeting) · eu kaixo (greeting) · lv sveiks (greeting) · et tere (greeting) · hi सत श्री अकाल (greeting) · ar أَلُو (when answering the telephone) · sw jambo (greeting) · el παρακαλώ (when answering the telephone) · tl oi! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · arn mari mari (greeting) · ru здра́сте (sarcastic: that was foolish) · fa دُرُود (greeting) · de hallo (expression of puzzlement) · sh hàlo (when answering the telephone) · kmr silav (greeting) · ce ассаламу ӏалайкум (greeting) · be алё (when answering the telephone) · se būres (greeting) · de sälü (greeting) · nb hallo (when answering the telephone) · hy բարև ձեզ (greeting) · vi này! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · zh 你們好 /你们好 (greeting) · gil mauri (greeting) · ch håfa adai (greeting) · sv god dag (when answering the telephone) · krc ассаламу алейкум (greeting) · krl hei (greeting) · ru до́брый день (greeting) · th ฮัลโหล (when answering the telephone) · jje 펜안 (greeting) · ja 本当？ (expression of puzzlement) · el γεια σας (greeting) · ak maadwo (greeting) · ar مَرْحَبًا (greeting) · mt nsellmilkom (greeting) · sl haló! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · tl hoy (greeting) · hu jó napot kívánok (greeting) · hak 噯 /嗳 (when answering the telephone) · be прыве́т (greeting) · kk алло (when answering the telephone) · tt әй (is anyone there?) · vi chào (greeting) · sco hullo (greeting) · tl magandang araw po! (when answering the telephone) · ko 안녕하십니까 (greeting) · fi haloo? (is anyone there?) · pl siema (greeting) · hy բարև (greeting) · lt klausau (when answering the telephone) · bn ওহে (is anyone there?) · cho halito (greeting) · pl halo (greeting) · is halló? (is anyone there?) · zu sanibonani (greeting) · ti ሰላም (greeting) · fr salut (greeting) · tl uy (greeting) · vi ôi trời! (expression of puzzlement) · pl serwus (greeting) · hi नमस्ते (greeting) · udm чырткем (greeting) · ar السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ (greeting) · ru здра́сте Но́вый Го́д (sarcastic: that was foolish) · pt oi? (expression of puzzlement) · lv sveika (greeting) · sk haló (when answering the telephone) · uz allo (when answering the telephone) · mt ħellow (when answering the telephone) · ff mihofnima (greeting) · om akkam (greeting) · fr ouah (expression of puzzlement) · zai ola (greeting) · nb god dag (greeting) · de servus (greeting) · pcc mengz ndil (greeting) · su sampurasun (greeting) · rom àlo (when answering the telephone) · kmr selam (greeting) · sv hejsan (greeting) · mn сайн байна уу? (greeting) · tr selam (greeting) · mk ало (when answering the telephone) · az kimsə var? (is anyone there?) · nah niltze (greeting) · ota سلام (greeting) · de hello (greeting) · ga haileo (when answering the telephone) · rw muraho (greeting) · gd hòigh (greeting) · krc кюнюгюз ашхы болсун (greeting) · la avē (greeting) · zh 哈囉 /哈啰 (greeting) · kmr elo (when answering the telephone) · yue 喂 (is anyone there?) · ak maaha (greeting) · hu szia (greeting) · th สวัสดีค่ะ (when answering the telephone) · la salvēte (greeting) · mt nsellmulek (greeting) · hy բարև Ձեզ (greeting) · sh selam (greeting) · is halló (expression of puzzlement) · mk здраво (greeting) · bg ало (sarcastic: that was foolish) · ce маршалла ду хьоьга (greeting) · ms helo (when answering the telephone) · yo ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ (greeting) · sh ćȃo (greeting) · fr eh oh (is anyone there?) · ale draas (greeting) · be але́ (expression of puzzlement) · hu heló (greeting) · sh ћа̑о (greeting) · nrf bwõju (greeting) · ja マジかよ (expression of puzzlement) · de halloho! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · ar أَهْلًا (greeting) · pl elo (greeting) · tl helo? (when answering the telephone) · cs ahoj (greeting) · ak maakye (greeting) · ca hola (greeting) · hi आदाब (greeting) · tl oi?! (expression of puzzlement) · mk ало́ (is anyone there?) · am ሰላም (greeting) · id hai (greeting) · nn hallo? (is anyone there?) · ga Dia's Muire dhuit (greeting) · id salam (greeting) · ab бзиа збаша (greeting) · ngh ǃhonkia (greeting) · hi नमस्कार (greeting) · nb hallo? (is anyone there?) · ga Dia dhaoibh (greeting) · ar أَلُوْ (when answering the telephone) · fi hei (greeting) · th สวัสดีครับ (when answering the telephone) · nst äshazhoix (greeting) · hi सत्य (greeting) · dv އައްސަލާމު ޢަލައިކުމް (greeting) · aho 𑜈𑜩𑜨 𑜀𑜪𑜨 (greeting) · fy hallo (when answering the telephone) · yi שלום־עליכם (greeting) · aii ܐܲܠܘܼ (expression of puzzlement) · es hola (greeting) · aii ܫܠܵܡܵܐ ܥܲܠܵܟ݂ܝ (greeting) · km អាឡូ (when answering the telephone) · ko 여보세요 (when answering the telephone) · el ναι (when answering the telephone) · da hallo? (expression of puzzlement) · th แฮลโล (when answering the telephone) · mt bonswa (greeting) · sh bog (greeting) · xh molweni (greeting) · mop dʼyoos (greeting) · ur اَلسَّلامُ عَلَیکُم (greeting) · el χαίρετε (greeting) · ia hallo? (is anyone there?) · abq сальам (greeting) · ro alo? (is anyone there?) · af goeiedag (greeting) · is hæ (when answering the telephone) · az salam (greeting) · hi हेलो (when answering the telephone) · ja マジかよ？ (sarcastic: that was foolish) · ro haló? (is anyone there?) · uk здоро́в був (greeting) · ce маршалла ду шуьга (greeting) · fj bula (greeting) · hu üdvözlöm (greeting) · tl uy! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · ckt еттык (greeting) · is halló (when answering the telephone) · hu halló (when answering the telephone) · hi सलाम (greeting) · pl cześć (greeting) · ro ia uite (expression of puzzlement) · ngh ǃʻhoangkiki (greeting) · cs haló (when answering the telephone) · hi हेलो (greeting) · he שָׁלוֹם עָלֵיכֶם (greeting) · yi אַ גוטן (greeting) · ne हलो (when answering the telephone) · bg моля (expression of puzzlement) · ru здоро́во (greeting) · lzz გეგაჯგინას (greeting) · is góðan daginn (when answering the telephone) · ca digui (when answering the telephone) · zza sılam (greeting) · co bonghjornu (greeting) · kmr helo (when answering the telephone) · nrf bouônjour (greeting) · ngh ǃʻhoangkica (greeting) · kk сәлем (greeting) · lo ອາໂຫລ (when answering the telephone) · st dumela (greeting) · sh zdrȁvo (greeting) · sv god dag (greeting) · aii ܐܲܠܘܼ (sarcastic: that was foolish) · zza kam esto (is anyone there?) · jv halo (greeting) · hy աու (is anyone there?) · sd هيلو (greeting) · crh Мераба (greeting) · ja すみませーん (is anyone there?) · cy helo (greeting) · crh Meraba (greeting) · sk haló (is anyone there?) · ro servus (greeting) · kmr merheba (greeting) · sjo ᠪᠠᡳᡨᠠᡴᡡ ᠨᠠ (greeting) · ru салю́т (greeting) · lkt háu (greeting) · ta வணக்கம் (greeting) · mt hawn xi ħadd? (is anyone there?) · ckt етти (greeting) · ja 大丈夫かよ (sarcastic: that was foolish) · he הלו (expression of puzzlement) · nrf boujouo (greeting) · xmf გომორძგუა (greeting) · apw yaʼateh (greeting) · sv hallå där (sarcastic: that was foolish) · uz salom (greeting) · zh ciallo (greeting) · aii ܐܲܠܘܼ (when answering the telephone) · ckt ети (greeting) · tt сәлам (greeting) · sh бог (greeting) · kn ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ (greeting) · st lumela (greeting) · rap 'iorana (greeting) · pa ਸਤਿ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ (greeting) · oj boozhoo (greeting) · de guten Tag (greeting) · nb halla (greeting) · it c'è nessuno? (is anyone there?) · tk gowmyň (greeting) · lb hallo (greeting) · th มีใครอยู่ไหม? (is anyone there?) · tg ҳа (when answering the telephone) · nl goeiedag (greeting) · bg здра́сти (greeting) · ne को हो त्यहाँ? (is anyone there?) · ur ہَلو (when answering the telephone) · ms apa khabar (greeting) · kk бар ма (when answering the telephone) · lt sveikas (greeting) · hak 你好 (greeting) · es holi (greeting) · wa diewåde (greeting) · is hæ hæ (when answering the telephone) · ka გისმენთ (when answering the telephone) · ar ألو (when answering the telephone) · sl dóber dán (greeting) · ru здра́вствуйте (greeting) · esu cama-i (greeting) · ia hallo (when answering the telephone) · abs wai (greeting) · ems cama’i (greeting) · eo halo (when answering the telephone) · sh izvolite (when answering the telephone) · my မင်္ဂလာပါ (greeting) · sw salaam (greeting) · lad shalom (greeting) · sa नमो नमः (greeting) · nod สบายดีก่อ (greeting) · pt acorda (sarcastic: that was foolish) · sm talofa (greeting) · fi terve (greeting) · xal менд (greeting) · el εμπρός (when answering the telephone) · nap uè (greeting) · ar اهلاً (greeting) · iqu juu (greeting) · ar سَلَام (greeting) · oc adieu-siás (greeting) · az hər vaxtınız xeyir (greeting) · ru здра́вствуй (greeting) · ms helo (greeting) · ka ჰეი (greeting) · te ఎవరైనా ఉంది (is anyone there?) · scn s'abbinidica (greeting) · mn сайн уу? (greeting) · hu normális vagy? (sarcastic: that was foolish) · os салам (greeting) · bn হ্যালো (greeting) · zza namaste (greeting) · ht bonjou (greeting) · mn сайн байцгаана уу? (greeting) · fa دَرُود (greeting) · or ନମସ୍କାର (greeting) · wuu 儂好 /侬好 (greeting) · sl prosim (when answering the telephone) · gl ouga (greeting) · az hər vaxtınız xeyir olsun (greeting) · it buongiorno (greeting) · wa a (greeting) · gl oula (greeting) · bn নমস্কার (greeting) · az günaydın (greeting) · as হেল’ (greeting) · lv hallo (when answering the telephone) · sv hallå (when answering the telephone) · rom te aves baxtali (greeting) · sv men hallå (sarcastic: that was foolish) · tl musta (greeting) · my ဟဲလို (greeting) · apw dagotʼee (greeting) · ja 今晩は (greeting) · de hallo (when answering the telephone) · hy ողջույն (greeting) · sh molim (when answering the telephone) · uk здра́стуйте (greeting) · gd halò (when answering the telephone) · hu hahó (is anyone there?) · ab бзиара убааит (greeting) · ko 안녕하세요 (greeting) · pt olá? (is anyone there?) · de hallo? (is anyone there?) · se dearvva (greeting) · es aló (when answering the telephone) · my အမိန့်ရှိပါ (when answering the telephone) · gug maitei (greeting) · ab бзиара жәбааит (greeting) · aii ܐܲܠܘܼ؟ ܚܲܕ݇ ܝܠܹܗ ܬܵܡܵܐ؟ (is anyone there?) · ky алло (when answering the telephone) · fr bonjour (greeting) · te బాగున్నారా (greeting) · fr allô (is anyone there?) · lt sveiki (greeting) · tet olá (greeting) · sq ç'kemi (greeting) · nl tot (when answering the telephone) · mt nsellimlek (greeting) · ca hola (when answering the telephone) · bm i ni ce (greeting) · tg алло (when answering the telephone) · mi tēnā koe (greeting) · da hej (greeting) · liv tēriņtš (greeting) · pt olá (greeting) · ar آلُو (when answering the telephone) · bh प्रणाम (greeting) · nrf banjour (greeting) · ro noroc (greeting) · pt o que (expression of puzzlement) · hy ալլո (when answering the telephone) · crg tánishi (greeting) · ur آداب (greeting) · tl huy?! (expression of puzzlement) · uk здра́стуй (greeting) · nl hallo! (expression of puzzlement) · tl oy! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · to mālō e lelei (when answering the telephone) · udm умой (greeting) · tyv экии (greeting) · is góðan daginn (greeting) · saq eserian (greeting) · moh sekoh (greeting) · so waa nabad (greeting) · sac ahô (greeting) · ne नमस्कार (greeting) · bn হ্যালো (when answering the telephone) · tl kumusta (greeting) · ryu はいさい (greeting) · aii ܫܠܵܡܵܐ ܥܲܠܘܼܟ݂ (greeting) · zh сэляму (greeting) · scn ciao (greeting) · mk алооо? (sarcastic: that was foolish) · sah дорообо (greeting) · nl hallo! (sarcastic: that was foolish) · pl witajcie (greeting) · nl hallo? (is anyone there?) · ms helo (is anyone there?) · tr efendim (when answering the telephone) · la salvē (greeting) · fur mandi (greeting) · or ନମସ୍କାର (is anyone there?) · pt alô (when answering the telephone) · pl czołem (greeting) · tk gurgunmy (greeting) · fo halló (greeting) · fr ohé ! (is anyone there?) · cs dobrý den (greeting) · nrf baon-n-jour (greeting) · th สวัสดีครับ (greeting) · hu szervusz (greeting) · da dav (greeting) · ko 계세요? (is anyone there?) · ga Dia's Muire dhaoibh (greeting) · gu નમસ્તે (greeting) · nb hei (expression of puzzlement) · ro alo (when answering the telephone)

wikipedia: Merriam-Webster Dictionary · wikipedia: Thomas Edison · wikipedia: Oxford English Dictionary

hello en · NOUN

Pronunciation

/hɛˈloʊ/ (General-American)
hə-lō'
/həˈləʊ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/həˈləʉ/ (Australia)
/həˈloʊ/ (General-American)
(UK) audio
hĕ-lō'
(Australia) audio
/həˈlo(w)/ (South-Asia)
/haˈlaʊ/ (Northumbria)
/həˈloː/ (Canada)
/hɛˈloː/ (Canada)
/ˈhɛlo/ (Canada)
/hɛˈləʊ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/ˈhɛloʊ/ (General-American)
/ˈhɛloː/ (Canada)

Etymology

First attested in 1826. 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. Ultimately from a variant of Old English ēalā, such as hēlā, which was used colloquially at the time similarly to how hey and (in some dialects) hi are used nowadays. Thus, equivalent to a compound of hey and lo. Used when drawing attention to yourself. Possibly influenced by Old Saxon halo, imperative of halōn (“to call, fetch”), used in hailing a ferryman, akin to Old High German hala, hola!, imperative forms of halōn, holōn (“to fetch”). For more information, see hallo. The Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary also suggested that it is a variant of holla, a variant of holloo. Further beyond, the origin remains uncertain. OED and Merriam-Webster suggested that it has a connection between hallow (“to shout, to cry out loud”), which came from Old French holloer, which, according to Altfranzösisches Wörterbuch, is from Old Saxon halōn.

Meanings

"Hello!" or an equivalent greeting.
- They gave each other a quick hello when they met, and went back on their merry ways.
- In many new buildings, though, neighbors are venturing beyond tight-lipped hellos at the mailbox. 2007 April 29, Stephanie Rosenbloom, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
hollo		UK, alternative, dated	lexicographic
hilloa		alternative, obsolete	lexicographic
hallo		UK, alternative, dated	lexicographic
hullo		UK, alternative	lexicographic
hellos	Number=Plur		lexicographic
helloes	Number=Plur		lexicographic

Synonyms

greeting

wikipedia: Merriam-Webster Dictionary · wikipedia: Thomas Edison · wikipedia: Oxford English Dictionary

hello en · VERB

Pronunciation

/hɛˈloʊ/ (General-American)
hə-lō'
/həˈləʊ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/həˈləʉ/ (Australia)
/həˈloʊ/ (General-American)
(UK) audio
hĕ-lō'
(Australia) audio
/həˈlo(w)/ (South-Asia)
/haˈlaʊ/ (Northumbria)
/həˈloː/ (Canada)
/hɛˈloː/ (Canada)
/ˈhɛlo/ (Canada)
/hɛˈləʊ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/ˈhɛloʊ/ (General-American)
/ˈhɛloː/ (Canada)

Etymology

First attested in 1826. 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. Ultimately from a variant of Old English ēalā, such as hēlā, which was used colloquially at the time similarly to how hey and (in some dialects) hi are used nowadays. Thus, equivalent to a compound of hey and lo. Used when drawing attention to yourself. Possibly influenced by Old Saxon halo, imperative of halōn (“to call, fetch”), used in hailing a ferryman, akin to Old High German hala, hola!, imperative forms of halōn, holōn (“to fetch”). For more information, see hallo. The Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary also suggested that it is a variant of holla, a variant of holloo. Further beyond, the origin remains uncertain. OED and Merriam-Webster suggested that it has a connection between hallow (“to shout, to cry out loud”), which came from Old French holloer, which, according to Altfranzösisches Wörterbuch, is from Old Saxon halōn.

Meanings

(transitive) To greet (someone) with "hello".
- ‘Hello Minka! Great to meet you!’ Minka seems nonplussed at what I thought was an uncontroversial opening remark. There’s an awkward pause. She then helloes me back. But that’s all I get. 2012, Mark Dolan, Do You Mind if I Put My Hand on it?: Journeys into the Worlds of the Weird, HarperCollins, →ISBN:
- She is there guarding and looking after the candy and the children generally, and she helloes and renders an exclamation that Maidie is crossing the street. 1891, Records and Briefs in Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of Minnesota, page 227:
- He helloes to my daughter:[…] 1927, Ohio State Engineer, page 18:
- 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. 2013, Ivan Doig, English Creek, page 139:

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
helloing	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
helloes	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
hallo		UK, alternative, dated	lexicographic
hollo		UK, alternative, dated	lexicographic
hellos	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
helloed	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
helloed	Tense=Past		lexicographic
hullo		UK, alternative	lexicographic
hilloa		alternative, obsolete	lexicographic

wikipedia: Merriam-Webster Dictionary · wikipedia: Thomas Edison · wikipedia: Oxford English Dictionary

hello en · INTJ

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Translations (889)

hello en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Synonyms

hello en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms