hallo

A woman waves and says "hallo" to her neighbor across the street.

Definition

1. Interjection:

   • A greeting: "hallo" is used as an exclamation to attract attention, express surprise, or greet someone. It is a variant of "hello" and "halloa."
   • An expression of surprise: It can also be used to show astonishment or mild alarm.

2. Noun:

   • The act of greeting: "hallo" refers to the sound or utterance of such a greeting.
   • A call for attention: It can mean a shout to get someone's notice.

3. Verb:

   • To greet or call out: "hallo" means to say "hallo" to someone or to shout to attract attention.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:

  • Hallo! Is anyone there? (A greeting or call to check if someone is present.)
  • Hallo! That was unexpected. (An expression of surprise.)

• Noun:

  • He gave a loud hallo from across the street. (He shouted a greeting or call for attention.)
  • Her hallo was met with silence. (Her greeting received no response.)

• Verb:

  • She halloed her friend from the window. (She called out a greeting to her friend.)
  • The children halloed in the park to find each other. (The children shouted to attract attention.)

Advanced Usage

• "to hallo at someone": to shout or call out to someone, often in a friendly or urgent manner.

  • Don't hallo at me like that; I'm right here. (Do not shout at me in that way.)

• "a hallo and a goodbye": a phrase used to describe a brief or superficial interaction.

  • Our conversation was just a hallo and a goodbye. (We only exchanged greetings briefly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Halloa (interjection/noun/verb): an alternative spelling of "hallo," often used in older or literary English.

  • Halloa! What have we here? (An exclamation of surprise or discovery.)

• Hello (interjection/noun/verb): the more common modern form of "hallo," used universally as a greeting.

  • Hello, how are you today? (A standard greeting.)

• Halloed (verb, past tense): the past form of the verb "hallo."

  • He halloed loudly, but no one answered. (He shouted, but received no reply.)

Synonyms

• Greeting (n): a word or gesture of welcome.
• Shout (n): a loud call or cry.
• Call (v): to cry out to someone.

Phrasal Verbs

• Hallo out: to shout or call out loudly.
  • She halloed out to the lost hikers. (She shouted to attract their attention.)

Related Idioms

• Hallo, stranger!: an informal, friendly greeting to someone not seen for a long time.
  • Hallo, stranger! I haven't seen you in years. (A playful expression of surprise at meeting someone after a long absence.)