the salutation

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A greeting, especially the words used to begin a letter or email.

   Grammar: Countable noun; use 'a salutation' for one greeting and 'salutations' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • a salutation in a letter
   • begin with a salutation
   • formal salutation

   The salutation in the email was simply 'Hi everyone'.

   In a business letter, the salutation usually comes before the body.

   He forgot the salutation and started the message with his request.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   An act or word of greeting when meeting someone.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in formal or literary contexts for spoken greetings.

   Patterns

   • exchange salutations
   • a polite salutation
   • give someone a salutation

   The two leaders exchanged formal salutations before the meeting began.

   He raised his hand in salutation as we approached.

   She nodded a silent salutation to her neighbor.

Word forms

Common combinations

formal salutation

Use a formal salutation when writing to a company.

letter salutation

The letter salutation should match the tone of the message.

exchange salutations

They exchanged salutations and sat down.

Synonyms and how they differ

greeting

Greeting is the everyday word for words or actions when meeting someone; salutation is more formal and often refers to letters.

address

Address can mean the way you speak to someone, but it is less specific than salutation for the opening of a letter.

Word family

salute verb

To greet or show respect with a gesture or words.

salutatory adjective

Relating to a greeting, especially a formal opening address.

Commonly confused: the salutation or salvation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “the salutation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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