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hello

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Hello is defined as a greeting or a response when on the phone, used to bring attention or an expression of surprise.

(interjection)

An example of hello is what a person says when they answer the phone.
An example of hello is what one person says to another when they're walking towards each other.

See hello in Webster's New World College Dictionary

interjection

used as a greeting or response, as in telephoning
used to attract attention
used to express astonishment or surprise: hello! what's this in my soup?

Origin: var. of hollo

noun pl. hellos

an instance of saying or exclaiming “hello”

intransitive verb, transitive verb helloed, helloing

to say or exclaim “hello” (to)

See hello in American Heritage Dictionary 4

interjection

Used to greet someone, answer the telephone, or express surprise.

noun pl. hel·los

A calling or greeting of “hello.”

intransitive verb hel·loed, hel·lo·ing, hel·loes

To call “hello.”

Origin:

Origin: Alteration of hallo

Origin: , alteration of obsolete holla, stop!

Origin: , perhaps from Old French hola

Origin: : ho, ho!

Origin: + la, there (from Latin illāc, that way)

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