greet

USAGE SUMMARY

"greet" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe the act of saying hello or exchanging pleasantries with someone. For example, "As soon as she saw her friend, she greeted him with a hug."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joseph – one of several young locals who manage the place – waded out into the water to greet me.

The Guardian - Travel

Stories of Twitter cascades and viral news are skewed by concentrating on the tiny proportion of success stories, while audiences of mere handfuls greet millions of hopeful uploaders on to YouTube, SoundCloud and Kindle (most self-published ebooks sell fewer than 100 copies).

The Guardian - Opinion

Chris Scott and his side know that North Melbourne, Fremantle and Hawthorn greet them in the run home, so they must get the job done against the Giants.

The Guardian - Sport

But they forgive these smaller issues for the bigger picture; as I greet them they are thumbing through the Wetherspoon magazine, admiring the opulence of Harrogate Wetherspoon, the Winter Gardens, housed in a former Royal Bath building.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Judging by the cries that greet the new single, King – likely to be the UK's No 1 on Sunday – more than a few people are here specifically to see them.

The Guardian - Music

By the time I greet the shopkeeper he's filled a bag of bananas posing as a customer.

The Guardian

Stepping out of the house in the morning to greet our neighbours – wild horses on one side, donkeys on the other – with nothing but birdsong filling the air, I felt a sense of adventure you normally only get with wild camping.

The Guardian - Travel

During the 1984 dispute, there was at least one inspector who would meet (and greet) his brother on the picket line.

The Guardian

It's not safe to be out here in one of the most dangerous parts of north-eastern Nigeria, but the government has promised to send a team to investigate the kidnapping of more than 200 pupils from her school and she wants to greet them in person.

The Guardian

The people we slag off in the comfort of your home we will greet with genuine warmth next time we meet them.

The Guardian

Do we have to greet a girl's first period with silence?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greet", consider the context and choose a greeting that is appropriate for the situation. A formal event may require a different greeting than a casual encounter.

Common error

While "greet" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very formal writing. Instead, opt for more nuanced synonyms like "welcome", "acknowledge", or "salute" to convey specific levels of respect and formality.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "greet" is as a verb, used to describe the act of welcoming or acknowledging someone. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies saying hello or exchanging pleasantries. Many examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts, from casual encounters to formal receptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greet" is a versatile and commonly used verb that describes the act of welcoming or acknowledging someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While generally neutral in register, its usage should be tailored to the specific context, avoiding overuse in very formal settings. The related phrases, writing guidance, and FAQs offer practical insights for effective communication. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "greet" stands as a reliable and valuable term for expressing goodwill and establishing social connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

welcome

Focuses on the act of receiving someone with pleasure and hospitality.

welcome with open arms

Emphasizes a warm and enthusiastic reception.

salute

Implies a formal acknowledgement or gesture of respect.

acknowledge

Emphasizes recognizing someone's presence or existence.

address

Highlights the act of speaking or communicating with someone.

hail

Suggests a more enthusiastic or celebratory greeting.

receive

Focuses on the action of getting and welcoming someone or something.

meet

Simply denotes encountering someone, without necessarily implying a formal greeting.

approach

Describes the act of coming near to someone, often as a prelude to speaking.

accost

Implies approaching and speaking to someone, sometimes in an aggressive manner.

FAQs

How to use "greet" in a sentence?

"Greet" can be used to describe the act of welcoming someone, as in "She greeted her guests warmly." or "The team rushed outside to "greet the superstar politician"".

What can I say instead of "greet"?

You can use alternatives like "welcome", "salute", "acknowledge", or "address" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "greet" or "salute"?

Both "greet" and "salute" are correct, but they have different connotations. "Greet" is a general term for welcoming someone, while "salute" implies a formal gesture of respect.

What's the difference between "greet" and "welcome"?

"Greet" is a verb that describes the act of offering a salutation or welcome, while "welcome" can be used as both a verb and a noun, implying a warm reception or acceptance. You can use "welcome" as an alternative to "greet".