an honor to meet you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an honor to meet you" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a polite expression when meeting someone for the first time, indicating respect or admiration for the person. Example: "As I shook hands with the ambassador, I said, 'It is truly an honor to meet you.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's an honor to meet you, sir," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

"It's an honor to meet you," I said.

The New York Times

"It's such an honor to meet you," Almonte said.

The New Yorker

"It's such an honor to meet you," he said.

The New York Times

"What an honor to meet you," she said.

The New Yorker

"It's an honor to meet you, sir," Brad Weigel, a member of the College Republicans, said, shaking Mr. McCain's hand after a speech in Columbus, Ohio.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Oh, my God, it's a pleasure, no, no, it's an... honor to meet you.... in the middle of the marathon".

The New York Times

"Bob, I just want to say that it's a great honor to meet you after all these years".

The New York Times

"Honor to meet you, madam.

The Guardian - Books

It would be an honor to meet with you and your staff personally to discuss this more.

Huffington Post

"I am honored to meet you," Ms. Palin said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an honor to meet you" when you genuinely respect or admire the person you are meeting. Tailor the phrase to fit the specific context and your relationship with the individual. For instance, you might say "It's such an honor to meet you, Mr. President" to convey deep respect.

Common error

Avoid using "an honor to meet you" in very informal situations or with close friends. This phrase can sound overly formal or insincere if used inappropriately. Opt for a more casual greeting, such as "Nice to meet you" or "Good to meet you".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an honor to meet you" functions as a polite expression used during an initial meeting. It conveys respect and admiration for the person being addressed. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase is used in formal greetings and expressions of respect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an honor to meet you" is a polite and respectful phrase used to greet someone for the first time, particularly when you hold them in high regard. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, formal business settings, and academia. While appropriate in many situations, it's essential to avoid overuse in overly casual environments where it might sound insincere. Alternatives such as "pleased to meet you" or "delighted to meet you" can be used when a less formal tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm honored to make your acquaintance

Replaces "meet" with "make your acquaintance" while maintaining the formal tone.

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance

Emphasizes the pleasure of the initial meeting.

I am delighted to meet you

Expresses delight at the meeting.

It's a privilege to meet you

Highlights the privilege of the encounter.

I am very glad to meet you

Expresses a more direct feeling of gladness.

I'm pleased to be introduced to you

Focuses on the satisfaction of being introduced.

It is a real treat to meet you

Emphasizes the enjoyment of the meeting.

I've been looking forward to meeting you

Indicates anticipation and excitement for the meeting.

It's great to finally meet you

Highlights the satisfaction of a long-awaited meeting.

I've heard so much about you, it's a pleasure to finally meet

Acknowledges prior knowledge and expresses pleasure.

FAQs

How can I use "an honor to meet you" in a sentence?

You can use "an honor to meet you" as a polite greeting when meeting someone for the first time, especially someone you admire or respect. For example, "It's "an honor to meet you", Dr. Smith; I've read all your papers."

What's the difference between "an honor to meet you" and "nice to meet you"?

"An honor to meet you" implies a higher level of respect or admiration, while "nice to meet you" is a more general and casual greeting. Use ""an honor to meet you"" when you genuinely feel honored; otherwise, "nice to meet you" is more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "an honor to meet you"?

Alternatives include "pleased to meet you", "delighted to meet you", or "it's a pleasure to meet you", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to say "an honor to meet you" in a business setting?

Yes, it is often appropriate to say ""an honor to meet you"" in a business setting, especially when meeting a superior, a client, or someone highly respected in your field. However, be mindful of the overall tone and relationship; a more casual "nice to meet you" might be better in some situations.