What does hello mean?
Hello is one of the most familiar English greetings, used to acknowledge another person, begin a conversation, answer a telephone, or attract someone's attention. Its usual function is social rather than informational: it signals recognition, openness, and friendliness without the formality of expressions such as good morning or it is a pleasure to meet you. The word is also used as a noun for a spoken greeting and, less commonly, as a verb meaning to greet someone with it. Its tone is generally warm and informal, although the precise effect depends on context, intonation, and the relationship between the speakers. In American English it is pronounced with an /oʊ/ vowel, while British English commonly uses /əʊ/. Hello remains useful and interesting because it occupies a flexible middle ground: more personal than a merely formal salutation, but less casual in many settings than hi or hey. It is now also widely understood as an English greeting outside the United Kingdom and United States.
An informal greeting used when meeting someone, beginning a conversation, or calling attention to a person or event.
"Hello there, where have you been?"
The most common modern use of the word. It is generally informal but acceptable across many everyday and professional settings.
A greeting or friendly call made with the word hello.
"He received a cheerful hello from his neighbor."
The plural hellos is grammatically standard but uncommon in ordinary conversation.
To greet someone by saying hello.
"We helloed the guests as they entered."
This use is informal and less frequent than the interjection.
The plural is uncommon but standard when referring to multiple greetings.
"The two friends exchanged cheerful hellos before leaving."
The word sounds traditional, but hello itself is surprisingly young: it was first recorded only in the early 19th century.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hello come from?
The English greeting hello is first attested in the early 19th century. Its precise origin is uncertain, but it is commonly understood as an alteration of hallo or hollo, older forms used to hail someone or call attention. These forms belong to a wider group of related English spellings, including halloa and holla, rather than deriving from a clearly identifiable ancient personal name.
Related word forms
How hello is actually used
Hello is casual and widely used in both British and American English. It is especially common in speech; more formal alternatives include good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. As a verb, it is relatively uncommon and more readily encountered in American English.
Easily confused with hello
Hallo is a variant spelling of hello and is especially familiar in British English, though both spellings are now widely used.