Greetings

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "Greetings" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a polite greeting when beginning a letter or email. For example: Greetings, I hope this letter finds you well.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The greetings performed at the Irish president's official residence did everything that was expected of them, sending a clear message: Britain and Ireland have reached out, and symbolically joined hands, and neither enjoys seniority in this newly affirmed relationship.

The Guardian

"But first of all, we present to you life's most delicious, charming and respected greetings.

The Guardian

The fresh breeze off the water rejuvenated me and once I'd found my running feet – and shared smiles and greetings with fellow runners – I felt far more at home in the city.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As he has done at these events for years, Lawson wandered over to the crowd behind the barriers after the Queen had departed, to harvest quotes from her greetings to wellwishers.

The Guardian

It was a bold move, then, for the magazine to Photoshop said arse, and, while they were at it, her thighs, hips, cheeks, chin, little finger (probably)... into an image so brazen in its photogenic engineering that one wonders whether it was the picture desk's bid to launch a line of "your face on the body of Miss Universe" greetings cards.

The Guardian - Arts

Several designs reference the recent events in Ukraine, with perhaps the stand-out of the collection a retro "Greetings from Crimea" print, featuring a summery Putin clad in a Hawaiian shirt and holding a long cocktail glass in one hand.

The Guardian

In the corridors outside, children walk hand-in-hand, politely singing out greetings.

The Economist

AHEAD of the festival of Eid-al-Fitr on August 9th-11th, the two quarrelling heads of Bangladesh's political dynasties exchanged greetings cards.

The Economist

The twin Voyager space probes, launched in 1977, each carried a "Golden Record" with Earthly sounds such as greetings in 56 languages (and by a whale), as well as a tune by Chuck Berry.

The Economist

After several e-mails exchanged, the greetings might move on to "Hallo, Herr [surname]", but they will never unless the two people have met in person and agreed to do so presume "Hallo [first name]".

The Economist

By contrast, in America, e-mail greetings begin informally and quickly get more so.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add a personal touch, follow "Greetings" with a specific detail about the recipient or the situation, showing that the message isn't a generic template.

Common error

While "Greetings" is a polite opening, using it repeatedly or in casual correspondence can sound overly formal or insincere. Opt for "Hi" or "Hello" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Greetings" is to serve as an interjection or a noun. As an interjection, it expresses a polite welcome or acknowledgement. As a noun, it refers to acts of greeting or expressions of goodwill, and the Ludwig AI considers it to be perfectly correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Greetings" functions as a polite and formal way to start communication, whether written or spoken. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word "Greetings" is grammatically correct and widely applicable, particularly in formal or professional contexts. While highly versatile, remember to adjust the level of formality to suit your audience and purpose. Steer clear of casual settings where a more relaxed "Hi" or "Hello" would be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hello

A simple and direct greeting suitable for many situations.

Warm greetings

Emphasizes sincerity and goodwill in the greeting.

Salutations

A more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for greetings.

Good day

A polite and somewhat formal greeting, often used in business contexts.

Season's greetings

Specifically used around holiday seasons to convey festive wishes.

Good tidings

Emphasizes positive and joyful news or wishes, a more celebratory greeting.

Welcome

Focuses on receiving someone, suitable for arrivals or introductions.

Best wishes

Conveys positive thoughts and hopes, often used in closing.

Compliments

An old fashion way to express good wishes, especially on formal letters.

Kind regards

A polite and standard way to end a letter or email.

FAQs

How to use "Greetings" in a sentence?

"Greetings" is typically used at the beginning of a message or letter, followed by the recipient's name or a general introduction. For example, "Greetings, everyone" or "Greetings, Mr. Smith".

What can I say instead of "Greetings"?

You can use alternatives like "Hello", "Hi", "Warm greetings", or "Salutations" depending on the context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "Greetings"?

"Greetings" is appropriate in formal settings, when addressing a group, or when initiating professional correspondence. It conveys respect and politeness.

Which is correct, "Greetings" or "Hi there"?

Both are correct, but they differ in formality. "Greetings" is more formal and suitable for professional or group settings, while "Hi there" is more casual and appropriate for informal communications.