hello
/həˈloʊ/greeting★Beginner
informal
A common greeting used to acknowledge someone's presence or to start a conversation.
Hello, how are you?
Hello, it's nice to meet you.
💡
Often used in both formal and informal settings.
Collocations
hello kittya popular cartoon character
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
hello worldphrase
a common phrase used in programming to test output
💡Pro Tip
Pronunciation tip
The stress is on the second syllable (hə-LO).
⚡Gold Rule
Basic conversation rule
Use 'hello' to start a conversation or greet someone.
📖Word Origin
From Old English 'hǣl', meaning 'health' or 'well-being'.
📝Usage Notes
A versatile greeting suitable for various situations.
Word Breakdown
hel-
health
root-lo
lo, a variant of 'hail' or 'welcome'
root✎ Noted on May 31, 2026EN → EN