see also MEET, LEAVE
- to speak to sb when you meet them: say* hello (to sb), greet sb; noun: greeting
She walked straight past without even saying hello. ◎ We were greeted at the door by the manager. ◎ a friendly greeting
- to say hello to sb who is arriving somewhere, for example at your house: welcome sb; an act of welcoming sb: welcome, (formal) reception
I'm sorry I wasn't here to welcome you. ◎ They gave us a warm/friendly welcome. ◎ The Prime Minister was given a warm reception.
※ spoken greetings| SITUATION | GREETING |
| any situation of greeting sb | Hello! |
| greeting sb you have not met before (formal) | How do you do? |
| greeting a friend (informal) | Hi! or Hiya! |
| in the morning | Good morning! |
| in the afternoon | Good afternoon! |
| in the evening | Good evening! |
when somebody says one of these greetings to you, you can answer with the same words: 'I'm Norman Miller. How do you do?' 'How do you do?' When somebody asks you 'How are you?' you can say 'Very well, thank you.' or 'Fine, thanks. How are you?'
※ greetings which are not spoken
- to take sb's hand and move it up and down as a greeting or when you say goodbye: shake* sb's hand, shake* hands (with sb); noun: handshake
We shook hands and he asked me to come in. ◎ an enthusiastic handshake
- to touch sb with your lips to show love or affection, or as a greeting: kiss (sb); noun: kiss
They said goodbye and kissed each other on both cheeks. ◎ Give grandma a kiss before she leaves.
- to say goodbye/goodnight to sb by kissing them: kiss sb goodbye/goodnight
He kissed me goodbye on the platform.
- to move your hand from side to side as a greeting, when sb is leaving, etc: wave (at/to sb); noun: wave
Who are you waving at? ◎ He greeted us with a wave.
※ greetings on special days
- a card which you send sb on a special occasion: (greetings) card
a Christmas card ◎ a birthday card
- a greeting which you would say or write to sb on their birthday: Happy birthday!; at Christmas: Happy Christmas!; at New Year: Happy New Year!
※ written greetings
- when you send sb a greeting (for example in a letter or a postcard), you send them your greetings, wishes, (formal) regards
Greetings from Edinburgh! ◎ With best wishes from Michael. ◎ Please give my regards to your parents.
