hello: Meaning and Definition of

hel•lo

Pronunciation: (he-lō', hu-, hel'ō), [key]
— interj., n., pl. v., -los, -loed, -lo•ing.
—interj.
  1. (used to express a greeting, answer a telephone, or attract attention.)
  2. (an exclamation of surprise, wonder, elation, etc.)
—n.
  1. the call “hello” (used as an expression of greeting): She gave me a warm hello.
—v.i.
  1. to say “hello”; to cry or shout: I helloed, but no one answered.
—v.t.
  1. to say “hello” to (someone): We helloed each other as though nothing had happened.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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