a cordial greeting

USAGE SUMMARY

'a cordial greeting' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it as a way to politely and warmly greet someone in a letter, email, or other writing. For example, "We hope this letter finds you well and extends our warmest, most cordial greeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Our mutual friend told me to take care of his buddy Clyde," she said, but after a cordial greeting they each disappeared into the crowd.

The New York Times

Obama and Walker exchanged a cordial greeting after the president stepped off Air Force One en route to his event in La Crosse, a small western Wisconsin city across the Mississippi River from Minnesota.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lombardi stressed that the meeting didn't constitute a formal audience per se, but rather a brief and cordial greeting in which the pope paid particular attention to Jolie and the children, giving them Vatican souvenirs.

The Guardian

accept with most cordial greetings my best wishes for an excellent vacation.

Princeton University

For more than a decade, they have driven themselves to court hearings, sat a few feet apart through countless hours of harrowing testimony, and exchanged cordial greetings, if not quite warm ones.

The New York Times

With cordial greetings, yours, Einstein.

Princeton University

"Hello, governor," came the cordial greetings.

The New York Times

Tom Brady exchanged cordial greetings with his former teammate Drew Bledsoe before and after today's game.

The New York Times - Sports

A few minutes' walk from here we find the Macau museum, where one might while away half an hour looking at miniature tableaux of early settlements featuring 16th-century Portuguese traders exchanging cordial greetings with the indigenous population ('You are welcome to our country!' 'Thanks, don't mind if we do...'...

The Guardian - Travel

Geikie for the Royal Society at the recent celebration of the quatercentenary of the University of Aberdeen —The Royal Society of London for Promoting Natural Knowledge sends cordial greetings to the University of Aberdeen on the auspicious occasion of the celebration of the four hundredth anniversary of its foundation.

Nature

Smiles, handshakes and cordial greetings were common.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cordial greeting" to convey a sense of warmth and politeness in both formal and informal communications. It's particularly effective when initiating contact or welcoming someone.

Common error

Avoid using "a cordial greeting" in overly casual settings, as it might sound too formal or insincere. Opt for simpler greetings like "hello" or "hi" in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cordial greeting" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'exchanged a cordial greeting'). It describes the act of greeting someone in a warm and polite manner, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cordial greeting" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a warm and polite welcome. While not exceedingly common, as Ludwig examples indicates, its usage is appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it conveys respect and goodwill. According to Ludwig, you can use this phrase to express politeness and warmth. It's important to avoid overusing it in casual environments to maintain a natural tone. Alternatives such as "a warm salutation" or "a friendly welcome" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a warm salutation

Replaces 'greeting' with 'salutation' implying a formal and friendly welcome.

a friendly welcome

Substitutes 'cordial greeting' with a more common phrase, focusing on the warmth of the reception.

a polite acknowledgement

Emphasizes the politeness aspect of the greeting, suitable in formal contexts.

a civil greeting

Highlights the respectful nature of the greeting, useful when emphasizing proper behavior.

an amicable hello

Replaces 'cordial' with 'amicable', indicating a friendly and peaceful interaction.

a gracious reception

Focuses on the elegance and courtesy of the welcome.

a hearty greeting

Implies enthusiasm and sincerity in the greeting.

a pleasant salutation

Highlights the pleasing and agreeable nature of the greeting.

a sincere welcome

Emphasizes the genuineness of the welcoming gesture.

a respectful greeting

Highlights the polite and deferential aspect of the greeting.

FAQs

How can I use "a cordial greeting" in a sentence?

You can use "a cordial greeting" to describe a polite and friendly welcome. For example, "The president exchanged "a cordial greeting" with the visiting diplomat".

What are some alternatives to "a cordial greeting"?

Some alternatives to "a cordial greeting" include "a warm welcome", "a friendly greeting", or "a polite acknowledgement".

When is it appropriate to use "a cordial greeting"?

It is appropriate to use "a cordial greeting" in situations where you want to express politeness and warmth, such as welcoming a guest, starting a formal letter, or acknowledging someone respectfully.

What is the difference between "a cordial greeting" and "a formal greeting"?

"A cordial greeting" implies warmth and friendliness, whereas "a formal greeting" simply indicates adherence to protocol and may lack personal warmth. A formal greeting might be "Good morning, Mr. Smith", while "a cordial greeting" might be "Welcome, it's a pleasure to meet you".