ahoy

A sailor shouts "ahoy!" from the deck of his ship.

Definition

1. Interjection:
   • A nautical call: "ahoy" is used as a greeting or signal to attract attention, especially at sea or in maritime contexts. It is typically shouted to hail a ship, boat, or person on board.
   • An exclamation of discovery: Occasionally used in informal or playful contexts to announce one's presence or to get someone's attention.

Usage Examples

• (A call used to signal the sighting of a vessel.)
• (A greeting to someone on a boat or in a nautical setting.)
• (A playful or piratical greeting.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ahoy" as a radio or communication signal: In modern maritime communication, "ahoy" may be used informally over radio to get attention, though it is less formal than standard protocols.
  • "Ahoy, this is Captain Jones of the Sea Breeze. Over." (A casual radio call.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ahoy-hoy: An older variant, sometimes associated with telephone greetings (popularized by Alexander Graham Bell's suggestion), but now rare.
  • "Ahoy-hoy! Who is calling?" (A historical telephone greeting.)

Synonyms

• Hello: a general greeting.
• Hey: an informal call to attract attention.
• Yo: a casual exclamation used to get someone's attention.

Related Idioms

• "Ship ahoy!": an idiomatic phrase used to announce the sighting of a ship, often in excitement or as a warning.

  • The lookout shouted, "Ship ahoy!" (The lookout sighted a ship and called out.)

• "Ahoy, matey!": a stereotypical pirate greeting, often used humorously in popular culture.

  • He walked into the party and said, "Ahoy, matey!" (A playful, pirate-themed greeting.)