greeting

/ˈɡriːtɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrē-tiŋ/ (ame, mw)

greeting — noun

  • greetingsingular
  • greetingsplural

1. a word, gesture, or action used when you meet someone, such as saying 'hello' or

1.名詞A1
釋義

a word, gesture, or action used when you meet someone, such as saying 'hello' or shaking hands.

例句

Quan gave a friendly greeting to the new family moving in next door.

'friendly greeting' + meet [person]

The children called out a greeting to their grandfather as he walked in.

同義詞
  • salutation

    very formal or literary; rarely used in everyday speech

  • welcome

    specifically for greeting someone who has just arrived, often at a home or event

反義詞
  • farewell

    what you say when leaving, not when meeting

用法筆記

Commonly used with verbs like 'give', 'offer', 'exchange', and 'return'. A greeting can be non-verbal — a wave, nod, or smile often works just as well as words.

常見錯誤

❌I gave him a greeting hello.
✅I gave him a greeting.' or 'I said hello to him.
💡'greeting' already includes the idea of saying hello, so 'greeting hello' is redundant.
❌She was greeting to me.
✅She gave me a greeting.
💡'greeting' as a noun needs a verb like 'give' or 'offer'; it is not used directly with 'to' like a verb.

2. a written or spoken message wishing someone happiness, health, or good luck, oft

2.名詞B1
釋義

a written or spoken message wishing someone happiness, health, or good luck, often sent on a special occasion such as a birthday or holiday.

例句

Selim sent birthday greetings to his cousin who lives in Japan.

'send + [occasion] greetings'

The card was filled with warm greetings from the whole team.

'filled with + warm greetings'

同義詞
  • regards

    used mainly at the end of letters or emails; less warm than 'greetings'

  • wishes

    more general; often paired with 'best' ('best wishes')

  • compliments

    formal, often in 'with compliments' on gift cards or invitations

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form ('greetings') when referring to good wishes. The singular form in this sense is rare and usually appears in fixed phrases.

常見錯誤

❌Send my greeting to your family.
✅Send my greetings to your family.
💡when expressing good wishes, 'greetings' is normally plural.
❌Greeting for the New Year.
✅New Year greetings.
💡English typically places the occasion before 'greetings', not after a preposition.