Meaning & use
greetings
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Meanings
nounplural
Words or actions used to welcome someone or to say hello.
Grammar: Usually plural in this sense; the singular 'greeting' refers to one instance.
Patterns
- exchange greetings
- send greetings
- a greeting
They exchanged greetings before sitting down.
She sent her greetings to everyone at the party.
He nodded a greeting as he passed.
interjectionformalhumorous
A word used to say hello in a formal or playful way.
Grammar: Used alone as a salutation, often in cards or humorous contexts.
Patterns
- Greetings!
- Greetings, everyone.
Greetings, fellow travelers!
Greetings! Welcome to our humble home.
Word forms
| singular | greeting |
|---|
Common combinations
- season's greetings
- We send you season's greetings and best wishes for the new year.
- exchange greetings
- The two leaders exchanged greetings before the meeting.
- birthday greetings
- She received many birthday greetings on social media.
- warm greetings
- Warm greetings from all of us at the office.
Synonyms and how they differ
- salutations
- More formal and often used in writing; 'greetings' is more common in speech.
- welcome
- Focuses on receiving someone, while 'greetings' is about the words used to say hello.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
Which phrase is a common set expression on a holiday card?
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'Season's greetings'. The other options are not used.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “greetings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.