Meaning 1
To acknowledge someone's arrival with words, expression, or gesture.
Reach for it when describing the first act of welcome or recognition
Two students greet each visitor and explain where to leave a coat.
Meaning 2
To meet news, a sight, or an event with a particular reaction.
Reach for it when describing how something is received
Residents greeted the reopening with applause and homemade banners.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday |
| |
| warm | ||
| professional | ||
| formal |
| |
| literary |
everyday
say hello to
Fits when plain conversational language suits the interaction
Careful The phrase is too casual for ceremonial reception.
warm
Fits when the arrival should feel actively accepted and included
Careful A greeting can be neutral; welcome always adds positive reception.
professional
Fits when a brief sign of recognition is sufficient
Careful Acknowledgment may be silent and does not create a warm arrival.
formal
Fits when a host formally admits or meets a guest
Careful Receive can describe logistics without any greeting.
everyday
meet
Fits when an event or challenge encounters a response
Careful Meet is broad and may describe simple contact, not public reaction.
warm
Fits when people accept an idea or change enthusiastically
Careful Embrace overstates mere acknowledgment or cautious approval.
professional
respond to
Fits when the reaction itself needs neutral emphasis
Careful Respond to lacks the immediate encounter implied by greet.
literary
Fits when news or a person receives enthusiastic public approval
Careful Hail is elevated and wrong for a mixed or quiet response.
greet warmly
The director will greet warmly every family arriving from the night train.
greet with a smile
Volunteers greet with a smile but allow visitors quiet if they prefer.
greet the news
Staff greeted the news with relief rather than celebration.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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