hey
/heɪ/
casual greeting or attention-getter
Hey, how are you doing?
A friendly way to greet someone or start a conversation
informal
An informal way to get someone's attention or greet them
Hey, can you pass me the salt?
Used to politely ask someone to do something
Hey, what's up?
A casual way to ask how someone is doing
Common in spoken English, especially among friends and in casual settings
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Tone matters
The same word 'hey' can sound friendly or demanding based on tone and context
Gold Rule
Casual use
'Hey' is informal and best used with friends, family, or in relaxed settings
Word Origin
Originated in Middle English as a variant of 'hi', possibly from Old Norse 'hei' meaning 'health'
Usage Notes
Often used in informal contexts, can be friendly or demanding depending on tone
English Dictionary