greetings

USAGE SUMMARY

'greetings' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a formal or informal salutation in emails or letters, or as a greeting when meeting someone for the first time. Example sentence: "Greetings, my name is John. It's lovely to meet you."

✓ 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

Incorporate "greetings" at the beginning of a speech or presentation to acknowledge and welcome the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "greetings" in casual conversations or informal emails, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hi" or "hello" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "greetings" is as a plural noun, often used as an interjection or a salutation to initiate communication. Ludwig examples show it used at the beginning of written correspondence and in spoken introductions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greetings" functions as a plural noun and serves to initiate communication with a touch of formality. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its use spans various professional contexts, appearing frequently in news and media outlets. While grammatically sound, it's best reserved for situations where a formal tone is desired. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, recommending it for both formal and informal salutations, solidifying its position as a versatile, albeit slightly formal, greeting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hello

A simple and direct way to start a conversation.

Salutations

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

Best wishes

Conveys a warm and friendly sentiment, often used at the end of correspondence.

Kind regards

A polite and professional way to end a message or letter.

Warm welcomes

Emphasizes the cordiality of the greeting.

Welcome

A friendly expression used when receiving someone.

Good tidings

A more festive and somewhat old-fashioned greeting.

Compliments

Expresses polite praise or admiration.

Felicitations

A formal expression of congratulations.

Hails

An enthusiastic or formal greeting.

FAQs

How can I use "greetings" in a sentence?

"Greetings" can be used to start a conversation or a written message. For example: "Greetings, esteemed colleagues, let's begin the meeting", or "Greetings from Robotistan, outsourcing's cheapest new destination".

What are some alternatives to saying "greetings"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "hello", "hi", "salutations", or "welcome".

Is "greetings" appropriate for both formal and informal situations?

"Greetings" is generally more appropriate for formal situations. In informal settings, simpler options like "hi" or "hey" are often preferred.

What's the difference between "greetings" and "salutations"?

Both "greetings" and "salutations" are formal ways to welcome someone. "Salutations" is more archaic and literary, whereas "greetings" is more commonly used in contemporary formal contexts.