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A1 noun #1,491 le plus courant 13 min de lecture

greet

Top 1,491

At the A1 beginner level, learning the word greet is absolutely essential because it forms the very foundation of all social interactions in the English language. When you are just starting to learn English, the first things you learn are how to say hello, how to say good morning, and how to introduce yourself to new people. The word greet is the action word that describes all of these important activities. At this stage, learners should focus on the most basic and literal meaning of the word, which is simply to say hello or welcome someone when you see them. You will use this word to understand simple instructions from your teacher, such as 'Please greet your partner' or 'How do you greet someone in the morning?'. You will also learn that greeting someone often involves physical actions, like waving your hand or shaking hands. It is very important at the A1 level to practice the actual phrases used to greet people, such as 'Hi', 'Hello', 'Good afternoon', and 'How are you?'. Understanding the concept of greeting helps beginners feel more comfortable and confident when they meet native speakers or other learners for the very first time. It is a simple, everyday action that everyone does, making it a highly practical and immediately useful vocabulary word for anyone starting their language learning journey.

At the A2 elementary level, your understanding of the word greet expands beyond just saying a simple hello to encompass a wider variety of routine social interactions and everyday situations. You begin to understand that how you greet someone can change depending on who they are and where you are. For example, you learn that you might greet a close friend with a casual 'Hey!' and a hug, but you would greet a shop assistant or a teacher with a more polite 'Good morning'. At this level, you will encounter the word greet in short reading passages, simple stories, and everyday dialogues, such as conversations in a restaurant, at a train station, or in a store. You will also start to use the word in your own writing, perhaps describing your daily routine or a recent event, like 'I went to the party and greeted all my friends'. You will learn to use simple adverbs with the word, such as 'greet warmly' or 'greet politely', to add a little more detail to your sentences. Understanding the social expectations around greeting people in different everyday contexts is a key part of developing your communicative competence at the A2 level, helping you navigate basic social situations with greater ease and cultural awareness.

At the B1 intermediate level, the use of the word greet becomes much more nuanced and versatile as you begin to navigate more complex social and professional environments. You are no longer just learning how to say hello; you are learning how to manage relationships and establish appropriate tones in your communication. At this stage, you will frequently encounter the word greet in the context of written communication, such as emails, letters, and text messages. You will learn the difference between formal written greetings, like 'Dear Sir or Madam', and informal ones, like 'Hi everyone'. You will also start to see the word used in passive voice structures, such as 'The guests were greeted at the door', which is common in descriptions of events or news reports. Furthermore, you will begin to understand the metaphorical uses of the word, such as 'The news was greeted with excitement'. This requires a deeper understanding of how vocabulary can be used to describe emotional reactions and public opinions, not just physical actions. Mastering the word greet at the B1 level means you can confidently adapt your language to suit different levels of formality, ensuring that your interactions are always appropriate, respectful, and effective in a wide range of everyday and professional situations.

At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your comprehension and application of the word greet reach a sophisticated level, particularly in professional, academic, and cross-cultural contexts. You are expected to understand the subtle cultural nuances and expectations associated with greeting people in different English-speaking countries and professional environments. For instance, you will be aware of the importance of a firm handshake and direct eye contact when greeting a potential employer during a job interview. You will encounter the word in complex texts, such as business case studies, sociological articles, and literature, where the manner in which characters or individuals greet one another reveals underlying power dynamics, social hierarchies, or emotional states. You will comfortably use advanced collocations and idiomatic expressions related to greeting, and you will be able to articulate the difference between greeting someone, welcoming them, acknowledging them, or snubbing them. In your own writing and speaking, you will use the word greet metaphorically with ease, constructing sentences like 'The controversial policy was greeted with widespread skepticism by the public'. At the B2 level, the word greet is a tool for precise and culturally aware communication, allowing you to navigate complex social landscapes and express sophisticated ideas about human interaction and societal reactions.

At the C1 advanced level, your engagement with the word greet is highly analytical and deeply integrated into your overall mastery of the English language. You possess a comprehensive understanding of the sociolinguistic implications of greeting behaviors and can discuss them at length. You are able to analyze how greetings function as pragmatic markers that establish, maintain, or alter social relationships and power structures in any given interaction. In academic and professional discourse, you can effortlessly comprehend and utilize the word in highly abstract and metaphorical contexts, such as analyzing how a new artistic movement was greeted by critics of the era. You are sensitive to the historical evolution of greeting phrases and gestures, and you can appreciate how authors use the specific mechanics of a greeting to develop character and advance plot in classic and contemporary literature. Your vocabulary is rich with subtle synonyms and related concepts, allowing you to express exact shades of meaning when describing social encounters. At this level, making a mistake with the word greet is rare, and your focus is entirely on using it with the stylistic elegance, precision, and cultural fluency of a highly educated native speaker, adapting your tone flawlessly to the most demanding and sensitive communicative situations.

At the C2 mastery level, your command of the word greet is indistinguishable from that of a highly articulate native speaker, characterized by an intuitive and profound grasp of its absolute full range of meanings, nuances, and pragmatic functions. You understand the concept of greeting not just as a vocabulary item, but as a complex sociolinguistic phenomenon that varies dramatically across different micro-cultures, historical periods, and social contexts. You can effortlessly deconstruct the subtle psychological and social dynamics at play in any greeting scenario, recognizing how minute variations in tone, gesture, or word choice can completely alter the meaning of the interaction. You are capable of employing the word in the most sophisticated literary, academic, and rhetorical contexts, using it to craft compelling narratives, persuasive arguments, or nuanced analyses of human behavior. You are fully aware of the etymological roots of the word and how its usage has shifted over centuries. At the C2 level, you do not merely use the word greet; you manipulate it with artistic precision to achieve specific communicative goals, demonstrating a complete and effortless mastery over the intricate web of social conventions and linguistic subtleties that govern human interaction in the English-speaking world.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

greet en 30 secondes

Saying hello to someone.
Welcoming a person warmly.
Starting a polite conversation.
Acknowledging someone's presence.

The word greet is a very important and fundamental part of human communication that we use every single day of our lives in almost every situation where we meet another person. When you greet someone, you are acknowledging their presence in a polite, friendly, or formal way, depending on the context of the situation and your relationship with the person. It is a way to say hello, to welcome someone into your home or office, or to start a conversation on a positive and respectful note. People use this word and the action it describes in a wide variety of contexts, from very casual encounters with close friends and family members to highly formal and structured events like business meetings, diplomatic summits, and official ceremonies. Understanding how to properly greet someone is one of the very first things that language learners are taught because it forms the absolute foundation of social interaction and relationship building. Without a proper way to greet others, it would be incredibly difficult to establish rapport, show respect, or even begin a simple exchange of information. In many cultures, the way you greet someone can communicate a vast amount of information about your social status, your level of respect for the other person, and your understanding of cultural norms and expectations. For example, in some cultures, a firm handshake is the standard way to greet a colleague, while in others, a bow or a kiss on the cheek is more appropriate.

Casual Usage: Used when you see a friend at the park or a family member at home.

I always make sure to greet my neighbors when I see them in the morning.

Furthermore, the concept of a greeting extends beyond just spoken words. Physical gestures are a massive part of how we greet one another. A wave of the hand, a nod of the head, a warm hug, or a respectful bow are all valid and common ways to greet someone without ever speaking a single word. In the modern digital age, we also greet people through written text, such as starting an email with 'Dear John' or sending a quick text message that says 'Hey!'. All of these actions fall under the umbrella of what it means to greet someone.

Formal Usage: Used in professional settings, such as job interviews or official meetings.

The manager will greet the new employees at the front desk.

The psychological impact of being greeted warmly cannot be understated. When someone takes the time to greet you properly, it makes you feel valued, seen, and respected. Conversely, if someone fails to greet you, or greets you in a cold and dismissive manner, it can immediately create feelings of tension, awkwardness, or even offense. This is why mastering the art of the greeting is so crucial for personal and professional success.

Written Usage: Used at the beginning of letters, emails, and text messages to establish a polite tone.

She used a very polite phrase to greet the clients in her email.

We stood by the door to greet the guests as they arrived at the party.

It is customary to greet the teacher when you enter the classroom.

Ultimately, to greet is to open the door to human connection, making it one of the most powerful and frequently used verbs in the English language, essential for anyone looking to communicate effectively and build meaningful relationships with the people around them.

Using the word greet in sentences is relatively straightforward because it functions as a regular transitive verb in the English language, meaning it typically takes a direct object. This means that when you use the word greet, you usually need to specify who or what is being greeted. The basic structure of a sentence using this word is usually the subject, followed by the verb greet, and then the object. For example, in the sentence 'I greet my friend', 'I' is the subject, 'greet' is the verb, and 'my friend' is the object. This simple structure can be expanded and modified in countless ways to add more detail, context, and nuance to your sentences. You can use adverbs to describe how the greeting was performed, such as warmly, coldly, politely, or enthusiastically.

Active Voice: The subject performs the action of greeting the object directly.

The host will greet everyone at the door.

You can also use the word greet in the passive voice, which is very common in formal writing or when the person performing the greeting is less important than the person being greeted. In a passive sentence, the object becomes the subject. For example, 'The guests were greeted by the host'. This structure is particularly useful in news reports, official documents, or formal invitations. Furthermore, the word greet can be used in all verb tenses, allowing you to talk about greetings in the past, present, and future.

Passive Voice: The focus is on the person receiving the greeting rather than the person doing it.

The president was greeted by a massive crowd of supporters.

In addition to literal greetings between people, the word greet can also be used metaphorically to describe how a person reacts to a situation, an idea, or an event. For instance, you might say that a new proposal was 'greeted with enthusiasm' by the team, or that a controversial decision was 'greeted with anger' by the public. This metaphorical usage is very common in journalism and literature, adding color and emotion to the writing.

Metaphorical Usage: Used to describe a reaction to news, events, or ideas rather than a physical person.

The announcement was greeted with loud cheers from the audience.

When I woke up, I was greeted by the beautiful sound of birds singing.

She ran to the gate to greet her dog after a long day at work.

By mastering these different sentence structures and usages, you will be able to use the word greet in a highly versatile and natural way, whether you are writing a formal essay, sending a casual text message, or speaking to a group of people.

You will actually hear the word greet in an incredibly wide variety of real-world environments and situations because it describes an action that is universally practiced across all cultures and societies. One of the most common places you will hear this word is in the hospitality and customer service industries. When you walk into a hotel, a restaurant, a retail store, or a bank, the staff are specifically trained to greet customers as soon as they enter the premises. You might hear a manager tell their employees, 'Make sure you greet every customer with a smile.' In these environments, the act of greeting is not just a polite gesture; it is a fundamental part of the business strategy designed to make customers feel welcome, valued, and more likely to spend money or return in the future.

Customer Service: Retail stores, hotels, and restaurants where welcoming guests is a priority.

The receptionist will greet you when you arrive at the clinic.

Another very common place to hear this word is in educational settings, such as schools, colleges, and universities. Teachers often instruct young students on the proper way to greet adults, and you might hear a teacher say, 'Class, please stand up and greet our special guest.' In language learning classrooms, the topic of greetings is usually the very first lesson, so students will hear the word greet repeatedly as they practice saying hello, good morning, and good afternoon in their target language.

Educational Settings: Schools and language classes where social etiquette is taught and practiced.

The principal stood outside to greet the students on their first day of school.

You will also frequently encounter the word greet in news broadcasts and journalism. News anchors and reporters often use the word to describe how politicians, celebrities, or athletes are received by the public. For example, a news report might state, 'The prime minister was greeted by thousands of cheering fans at the airport.' In literature and storytelling, authors use the word to set the scene and establish the tone of an interaction between characters.

Media and News: Television reports, newspapers, and articles describing public events and arrivals.

The returning astronauts were greeted as heroes by the entire nation.

As the sun rose, we were greeted by a spectacular view of the mountains.

He always makes an effort to greet his colleagues when he arrives at the office.

Whether you are watching a movie, reading a book, attending a formal event, or simply walking down the street in your neighborhood, the concept and the word greet are constantly present, making it an essential piece of vocabulary for understanding and participating in everyday life.

When learning how to use the word greet, there are several common mistakes and pitfalls that language learners frequently encounter. One of the most prevalent mistakes is confusing the verb greet with the noun greeting. While they are closely related, they function differently in a sentence. Greet is the action you perform, whereas a greeting is the actual word, phrase, or gesture that you use. For example, it is incorrect to say 'I gave him a greet'. The correct sentence would be 'I gave him a greeting' or 'I greeted him'. Understanding this distinction between the verb form and the noun form is crucial for grammatical accuracy.

Verb vs Noun Confusion: Mixing up the action word with the thing itself.

Make sure you greet the guests, do not say make sure you greeting the guests.

Another common mistake is using the wrong prepositions after the word greet. Because greet is a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct object without needing a preposition. For instance, learners sometimes say 'I greeted to my friend', which is incorrect. The correct phrasing is simply 'I greeted my friend'. However, when you want to describe how someone was greeted or what they were greeted with, you do use a preposition, typically 'with' or 'by'. For example, 'He was greeted with a smile' or 'She was greeted by the manager'.

Preposition Errors: Adding unnecessary words between the verb and the person receiving the action.

They will greet us at the station, not greet to us at the station.

A third area where mistakes occur is in the metaphorical use of the word. Learners might struggle to understand sentences like 'The news was greeted with silence'. In this context, the news is not a person, and silence is not a traditional hello. It means the reaction to the news was silence. Misinterpreting these metaphorical structures can lead to confusion in reading comprehension and listening exercises.

Metaphorical Misinterpretation: Failing to recognize when the word is used to describe a reaction rather than a physical hello.

His joke was greeted with laughter from the entire room.

The soldiers were greeted with a parade when they returned home.

She stepped outside and was greeted by a blast of cold winter air.

By being aware of these common mistakes, such as confusing the noun and verb forms, using incorrect prepositions, and misunderstanding metaphorical contexts, learners can significantly improve their accuracy and sound much more natural when speaking and writing in English.

The English language is incredibly rich and offers a wide variety of similar words and alternatives to the word greet, each carrying its own specific nuance, tone, and level of formality. Choosing the right alternative depends heavily on the context of the situation and the relationship between the speakers. One of the most common and direct synonyms is the word welcome. While greet simply means to acknowledge someone's presence, welcome implies a deeper level of hospitality and gladness that the person has arrived. You might greet a stranger on the street with a quick nod, but you would welcome a dear friend into your home with open arms and a warm embrace.

Welcome vs Greet: Welcome implies hospitality and gladness, while greet is a more general acknowledgment of presence.

We stood at the door to greet the visitors and welcome them inside.

Another useful alternative is the word acknowledge. Acknowledge is much more formal and less emotional than greet. It simply means to show that you have noticed someone or something. You might acknowledge a colleague in a busy hallway with a brief glance or a slight nod without stopping to have a full conversation. This is very different from a warm, enthusiastic greeting. In highly formal or official contexts, you might hear the word receive used as an alternative. For example, a king might receive foreign diplomats at his palace. This implies a formal, structured process of greeting and hosting important guests.

Acknowledge vs Greet: Acknowledge is a minimal, often formal recognition of presence, lacking the warmth typically associated with a greeting.

He barely looked up to greet me, he just acknowledged my presence with a nod.

On the more informal side, phrases like say hello to, say hi to, or hail are common alternatives. 'Say hello to' is a very friendly and universally understood phrase that can replace greet in almost any casual conversation. For example, 'Don't forget to say hello to your mother for me' is much more natural in everyday speech than 'Don't forget to greet your mother for me'.

Say Hello To vs Greet: Say hello to is the most common, conversational way to express the idea of greeting someone informally.

I went over to greet him and say hello to his new puppy.

The mayor will officially greet the champions and welcome them back to the city.

She raised her hand to greet the taxi driver and hail a ride.

By understanding these subtle differences between words like welcome, acknowledge, receive, and say hello, you can greatly enrich your vocabulary and choose the exact right word to convey your intended meaning and tone in any social situation.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"The delegation was officially greeted by the Prime Minister."

Neutre

"I always greet my coworkers when I arrive at the office."

Informel

"Make sure you say hi and greet the guys at the party."

Child friendly

"Let's wave our hands and greet the friendly dog!"

Argot

"I'm gonna go holler at him and greet the crew."

Le savais-tu ?

Interestingly, in Scottish English and some Northern English dialects, there is a completely different word 'greet' which means to cry or weep. This comes from a different Old English root, 'grēotan'. So, if a Scottish person says a baby is greeting, they mean the baby is crying, not saying hello!

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɡriːt/

US /ɡrit/

The word is a single syllable, so the primary stress falls entirely on the whole word: GREET.

Rime avec

meet seat beat heat meat neat feet sweet treat cheat sheet street

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'ee' too short, making it sound like 'grit'.
Dropping the final 't', making it sound like 'gree'.
Confusing the 'gr' blend with a 'gl' blend, sounding like 'gleet'.
Adding an extra vowel sound at the end, like 'greet-uh'.
Pronouncing the 'g' softly like a 'j', sounding like 'jreet'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Very common word, easily understood in context.

Écriture 2/5

Simple spelling and regular verb conjugation.

Expression orale 1/5

Easy to pronounce, single syllable.

Écoute 1/5

Clear pronunciation, hard to confuse with other words.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

hello meet say see smile

Apprends ensuite

welcome introduce acknowledge salute embrace

Avancé

receive accost snub hail address

Grammaire à connaître

Transitive Verbs

Greet requires a direct object. You must 'greet someone', not just 'greet'.

Passive Voice

The object becomes the subject: 'He was greeted by the crowd'.

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs describe how the action is done: 'She greeted him warmly'.

Prepositions with Passive

Use 'with' for things and 'by' for people: 'Greeted with a smile by the host'.

Infinitive of Purpose

Use 'to' to show why an action was done: 'I stood up to greet her'.

Exemples par niveau

I always greet my teacher in the morning.

Say hello to your teacher.

Use 'greet' as a simple action verb with a direct object.

She will greet her friend at the park.

She will say hi to her friend.

Future tense using 'will' followed by the base verb 'greet'.

We greet our parents when we come home.

We say hello to our parents.

Present simple tense for a regular habit.

He likes to greet the dog every day.

He likes to say hello to the dog.

Infinitive form 'to greet' after the verb 'likes'.

Please greet the new student in our class.

Please say welcome to the new student.

Imperative form used to give a polite instruction.

They greet each other with a big smile.

They say hello with a smile.

Using 'with' to describe how the greeting is done.

I stand up to greet my grandfather.

I stand to say hello to my grandfather.

Using 'to greet' to show the purpose of standing up.

Do you greet your neighbors in the morning?

Do you say good morning to your neighbors?

Question form in the present simple tense.

The friendly shop assistant will greet you at the door.

The worker will say hello at the entrance.

Adding adjectives like 'friendly' to describe the subject.

It is polite to greet people when you enter a room.

It is good manners to say hello.

Using 'It is polite to' followed by the base verb.

She greeted him warmly and asked about his family.

She said hello in a kind way.

Past tense 'greeted' modified by the adverb 'warmly'.

The manager greets all the staff before the meeting starts.

The boss says hello to the workers.

Present simple third-person singular with an 's'.

We were happy to greet our guests at the airport.

We were glad to welcome our visitors.

Using 'happy to' followed by the infinitive verb.

He forgot to greet his aunt at the party.

He did not remember to say hello to his aunt.

Using 'forgot to' followed by the base verb.

They always greet customers with a cheerful voice.

They say hello to shoppers happily.

Using 'with' to describe the manner of the greeting.

Did she greet you when you arrived yesterday?

Did she say hello when you got there?

Past simple question form using 'Did'.

The hotel receptionist greeted us politely and handed us our room keys.

The hotel worker welcomed us with good manners.

Combining the verb with an adverb and a subsequent action in the past tense.

In formal emails, it is customary to greet the recipient with 'Dear'.

In official emails, you usually start with 'Dear'.

Using the verb to describe written communication conventions.

The president was greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters.

A big crowd welcomed the president.

Passive voice construction emphasizing the person being greeted.

She made sure to greet everyone individually to make them feel welcome.

She said hello to each person one by one.

Using 'make sure to' to express a deliberate action.

His controversial proposal was greeted with silence by the board members.

The board members reacted to his idea with silence.

Metaphorical use of the passive voice to describe a reaction.

I usually greet my colleagues briefly before starting my work.

I say a quick hello to my coworkers.

Using adverbs of frequency and manner.

They organized a special ceremony to greet the returning soldiers.

They had an event to welcome the soldiers back.

Using the infinitive to express the purpose of an event.

If you see him, please greet him on my behalf.

If you see him, say hello for me.

Using a conditional clause followed by an imperative.

The ambassador was greeted with full military honors upon his arrival in the capital.

The diplomat received a highly formal and respectful welcome.

Advanced passive construction with a complex prepositional phrase.

It is considered a breach of etiquette to fail to greet the host of the event.

It is bad manners not to say hello to the person throwing the party.

Using formal vocabulary like 'breach of etiquette' with the infinitive.

The announcement of the company merger was greeted with widespread skepticism by the employees.

The workers reacted to the merger news with doubt.

Sophisticated metaphorical use describing a collective emotional reaction.

She possessed a remarkable ability to greet every challenge with unwavering optimism.

She could face every problem with a positive attitude.

Highly metaphorical usage describing a personal character trait.

The author's latest novel has been greeted enthusiastically by literary critics worldwide.

Critics around the world have praised the author's new book.

Present perfect passive voice with an adverb of manner.

He stepped onto the stage, only to be greeted by a chorus of boos from the dissatisfied audience.

He went on stage and the angry crowd booed him.

Using 'only to be' to express an unexpected or negative outcome.

Learning how to properly greet business partners in different cultures is essential for international trade.

Knowing the right way to say hello in other countries is important for global business.

Gerund phrase acting as the subject of the sentence.

The sudden drop in temperature greeted us as soon as we stepped out of the airport terminal.

We felt the cold air immediately when we left the building.

Personification of the weather performing the action of greeting.

The sweeping reforms proposed by the administration were greeted with a mixture of cautious optimism and outright hostility.

People reacted to the government's new plans with both hope and anger.

Complex metaphorical passive structure detailing a nuanced public reaction.

In his memoirs, he recounts how he was greeted not as a conquering hero, but as a weary survivor.

In his book, he says people welcomed him as someone who barely survived, not a winner.

Using 'not as... but as' to contrast different modes of reception.

The protagonist's arrival in the provincial town is greeted with a suffocating silence that foreshadows the impending tragedy.

When the main character arrives, the quietness hints that something bad will happen.

Literary analysis style sentence using personification and foreshadowing.

To greet such a profound existential threat with mere apathy is a staggering failure of collective responsibility.

Reacting to a huge danger by not caring is a terrible mistake by society.

Infinitive phrase used as a philosophical subject.

The diplomat navigated the delicate situation masterfully, ensuring that each delegate was greeted in strict accordance with protocol.

The official handled things perfectly, saying hello to everyone exactly as the rules required.

Advanced vocabulary describing adherence to formal rules and procedures.

Her groundbreaking research was initially greeted with derision by the scientific establishment before eventually winning a Nobel Prize.

Other scientists laughed at her work at first, but later she won a big award.

Chronological narrative structure using passive voice and contrasting outcomes.

The sheer scale of the majestic canyon greeted our eyes, leaving us momentarily bereft of speech.

We saw the huge canyon and were so amazed we couldn't speak.

Poetic personification of a landscape interacting with human perception.

He offered a perfunctory nod, a gesture that barely qualified as a greeting, let alone a warm welcome.

He gave a quick nod that was hardly a hello, and definitely not friendly.

Using the noun form to critique the quality of a social interaction.

The sociolinguistic intricacies of how individuals choose to greet one another can reveal profound underlying power asymmetries within a corporate hierarchy.

The complex ways people say hello show who really has the power in a company.

Highly academic sentence structure analyzing the sociological implications of the verb.

The avant-garde exhibition was greeted with the kind of vitriolic condemnation that invariably solidifies an artist's place in the historical canon.

The unusual art show received angry criticism, which usually makes an artist famous in history.

Sophisticated use of passive voice to describe a paradoxical cultural phenomenon.

Rather than being greeted as a panacea, the newly implemented economic policy was immediately subjected to rigorous and skeptical empirical scrutiny.

Instead of being seen as a perfect cure, the new money rules were carefully and doubtfully tested.

Complex comparative structure using 'Rather than being' to contrast expectations with reality.

The sheer audacity of his proposal greeted the committee like a physical blow, leaving them in a state of stunned, reverberating silence.

His bold idea shocked the group so much it felt like they were hit, making them completely quiet.

Evocative simile and personification to convey a powerful psychological impact.

In navigating the labyrinthine protocols of the royal court, the ambassador understood that to greet the monarch improperly was tantamount to diplomatic suicide.

In the complex rules of the palace, the official knew that saying hello wrong to the king would ruin his career.

Using 'to greet' as part of a high-stakes conditional scenario with dramatic vocabulary.

The subtle pragmatics of the encounter dictated that she greet him not with the familiarity of an old friend, but with the measured distance of a cautious adversary.

The unspoken rules of the meeting meant she had to say hello like a careful enemy, not a buddy.

Analytical sentence contrasting two distinct modes of interaction using 'not with... but with'.

The dawn greeted the weary travelers with a spectacular display of chromatic brilliance, momentarily alleviating the profound existential dread that had plagued their journey.

The morning sun showed the tired travelers beautiful colors, making them briefly forget their deep fears.

Highly literary and poetic personification combined with complex emotional vocabulary.

The linguistic evolution of the term reveals how a gesture once intended to greet the divine gradually secularized into a mundane acknowledgment of passing acquaintances.

The history of the word shows how a hello meant for gods became a normal way to say hi to people you barely know.

Academic analysis of the etymological and semantic shift of the concept over time.

Synonymes

salutation welcome address salute reception

Antonymes

farewell goodbye valediction

Collocations courantes

greet warmly

greet politely

greet enthusiastically

greet with a smile

greet at the door

greet the news

greet the day

be greeted by

refuse to greet

stand to greet

Phrases Courantes

greet someone with open arms

greet the dawn

greet someone's ears

greet someone's eyes

meet and greet

season's greetings

exchange greetings

a warm greeting

a formal greeting

send greetings

Souvent confondu avec

greet vs meet

Meet means to come into the presence of someone, often for the first time. Greet is the specific action of saying hello when you meet them.

greet vs welcome

Welcome implies a deeper level of hospitality and inviting someone in, whereas greet is just the initial acknowledgment.

greet vs salute

Salute is a very formal, often military, physical gesture of respect, whereas greet is a general term for saying hello.

Expressions idiomatiques

"roll out the red carpet"

To give someone a very special, luxurious, and highly respectful welcome. It implies treating them like royalty.

The hotel rolled out the red carpet to greet the famous actor.

informal

"kill the fatted calf"

To prepare a lavish celebration to welcome someone back, usually a family member. It originates from a biblical story.

When my brother finally came home from college, my parents killed the fatted calf to greet him.

literary

"give someone the cold shoulder"

To intentionally ignore someone or show them no affection, which is the opposite of a warm greeting.

I tried to say hello, but she just gave me the cold shoulder.

informal

"welcome aboard"

A phrase used to greet a new member of a team, company, or group.

We are thrilled to have you on the team, welcome aboard!

neutral

"receive with open arms"

To accept or welcome someone or something very eagerly and happily.

The community received the new teacher with open arms.

neutral

"tip one's hat"

To express respect or acknowledge someone, originally by physically touching one's hat.

I have to tip my hat to her; she did an excellent job.

informal

"break the ice"

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation started when people first meet.

He told a funny joke to break the ice and greet the new group.

informal

"glad hand"

To greet people warmly, but often in a superficial or insincere way, typical of politicians.

The politician spent the afternoon glad-handing voters in the park.

informal

"lay out the welcome mat"

To make it very clear that someone is welcome and invited to enter or join.

The city laid out the welcome mat for the international tourists.

informal

"show someone the door"

To ask someone to leave, which is the ultimate opposite of greeting or welcoming them.

After his rude behavior, the manager quickly showed him the door.

informal

Facile à confondre

greet vs meet

Both happen at the exact same time when you see someone.

Meeting is the event of coming together in the same place. Greeting is the communicative action you take once you are together. You can meet someone without greeting them (if you are rude), but you usually greet someone when you meet them.

We will meet at the park, and I will greet you with a hug.

greet vs welcome

Both are used when someone arrives at a place.

Welcome carries a strong feeling of hospitality and gladness that the person is there. Greet is more neutral and simply means acknowledging their arrival. You greet a stranger, but you welcome a friend into your home.

The host will greet you at the door and welcome you to the party.

greet vs salute

Both are ways of showing respect upon meeting.

Salute is highly specific, usually involving a formal military hand gesture to the forehead. Greet is the everyday, civilian way of saying hello.

The soldier must salute the officer, but civilians just greet each other.

greet vs address

Both involve speaking to someone directly.

Address usually means to start a formal speech or to speak to someone about a specific, serious topic. Greet just means to say hello before the real conversation begins.

He will greet the crowd first, and then address the main issues.

greet vs acknowledge

Both involve noticing someone's presence.

Acknowledge is very minimal; it can be just a look or a nod to show you see them. Greet is more active and usually involves words or a clear, friendly gesture.

He was too busy to greet me properly, so he just acknowledged me with a nod.

Structures de phrases

Subject + greet + Object

I greet my teacher.

Subject + greet + Object + Adverb

She greets him warmly.

Subject + be + greeted + by + Noun

He was greeted by the manager.

Subject + be + greeted + with + Noun

The news was greeted with cheers.

Subject + verb + Infinitive (to greet) + Object

They stood to greet the ambassador.

Noun + greet + Object + Prepositional Phrase

The cold wind greeted us upon arrival.

Imperative + greet + Object

Please greet the guests at the door.

Subject + make sure to + greet + Object

I made sure to greet everyone.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very High. It is one of the core vocabulary words taught to all beginners.

Erreurs courantes

I greeted to my friend at the park. → I greeted my friend at the park.
Greet is a transitive verb, which means the action passes directly to the object. You do not need the preposition 'to' between the verb and the person you are saying hello to.
He gave me a warm greet. → He gave me a warm greeting.
Greet is the verb (the action). Greeting is the noun (the thing). You cannot give someone a 'greet'. You must use the noun form 'greeting' when describing the thing that was given.
The news was greeting with cheers. → The news was greeted with cheers.
When describing a reaction to an event, you must use the passive voice past participle 'greeted', not the continuous form 'greeting'. The news received the action, it did not perform it.
I want to welcome and to greet to the new students. → I want to welcome and greet the new students.
When linking two transitive verbs with 'and', you still do not need a preposition before the direct object. Both 'welcome' and 'greet' apply directly to 'the new students'.
The host was greeted the guests. → The host greeted the guests.
Do not mix active and passive voice. If the host is doing the action, use active voice ('greeted'). If the guests are receiving it, use passive ('were greeted by the host').

Astuces

Direct Object Rule

Always remember that 'greet' needs a direct object. Do not put 'to' or 'at' after the verb. Say 'greet him', not 'greet to him'.

Use Adverbs

To make your English sound more natural and descriptive, pair 'greet' with adverbs. Phrases like 'greet warmly', 'greet politely', or 'greet coldly' paint a much better picture.

Passive Voice for Impact

In formal writing or news, use the passive voice 'was greeted by' to emphasize the importance of the person arriving, like a president or a celebrity.

Research Local Customs

Before traveling, always research how people greet each other in that specific country. A handshake, a bow, or a kiss on the cheek can mean very different things.

Say Hello Instead

In very casual, everyday speaking with friends, it is often more natural to say 'I said hi to John' rather than 'I greeted John'.

Reactions as Greetings

Don't be confused if you read that a plan was 'greeted with anger'. This just means the public reacted to the plan with anger.

Double E

Remember the spelling has a double 'e'. Think of two eyes looking at someone when you say hello to help you remember the two 'e's.

Professional Openings

Always include a proper greeting at the start of a professional email. Skipping the greeting and going straight to the point can seem rude.

Crisp T Sound

Make sure to pronounce the 't' at the end of the word clearly. If you drop it, the word sounds like 'agree', which will confuse the listener.

Action and Words

Greeting is not just about words. Always pair your verbal greeting with appropriate body language, like a smile, a wave, or eye contact.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a Great tree that says hello to everyone who walks by. The Great tree Greets you.

Association visuelle

Picture a bright green door opening, and a person standing there with a massive, welcoming smile, waving their hand to say hello.

Word Web

welcome hello smile handshake door meet polite friend

Défi

Next time you walk into a store or your office, consciously think of the word 'greet' as you say hello to the first person you see.

Origine du mot

The word greet originates from the Old English word 'grētan', which meant to come in contact with, to speak to, to salute, or to welcome. This Old English word has deep roots in the Germanic language family. It is related to the Old High German word 'gruozen' and the modern German word 'grüßen', which both mean to greet or salute. Over centuries of use, the meaning narrowed from a general sense of approaching or attacking to the specific social action of welcoming or saying hello.

Sens originel : In very early Old English, it could sometimes mean to approach or attack, but it quickly evolved to mean addressing someone with words of welcome.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

Be cautious with physical contact when greeting people from different cultures. When in doubt, a polite verbal greeting and a slight nod is the safest and most universally respectful approach.

In English-speaking countries, a simple 'Hello, how are you?' is standard. It is often rhetorical; the expected answer is 'Good, thanks', not a detailed account of your health.

The phrase 'Greetings, Earthlings' is a classic science fiction trope used by aliens in movies. The song 'Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.' is the debut studio album by Bruce Springsteen. The famous 'Walmart Greeter' is a specific job role dedicated entirely to welcoming customers.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Arriving at a party or social event.

greet the host
exchange greetings
a warm greeting
greet everyone

Starting a business meeting.

greet the clients
a formal greeting
greet the team
stand to greet

Working in customer service.

greet the customer
greet with a smile
the store greeter
greet politely

Writing a formal letter or email.

an opening greeting
greet the recipient
season's greetings
send greetings

Reacting to news or an event.

greeted with cheers
greeted with silence
greeted with anger
greet the announcement

Amorces de conversation

"How do people usually greet each other in your home country?"

"Do you prefer a formal handshake or a casual hug when you greet a friend?"

"What is the most polite way to greet a teacher or a boss?"

"Have you ever made a funny mistake when trying to greet someone in another language?"

"Do you think it is important for stores to have employees who greet customers at the door?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time when you were greeted very warmly by a stranger and how it made you feel.

Write about the different ways you greet your friends compared to how you greet your grandparents.

Imagine you are an alien visiting Earth for the first time; how would you greet the humans?

Reflect on a situation where someone failed to greet you and explain why it bothered you.

Write a short story that begins with a very unusual or mysterious greeting.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Greet is a completely regular verb in English. To form the past tense and the past participle, you simply add '-ed' to the end of the word, making it 'greeted'. For example, 'I greet him today' becomes 'I greeted him yesterday'. There are no irregular forms to memorize for this word.

Yes, you can use greet metaphorically for things that are not people. For example, you can say 'The morning sun greeted me' or 'A terrible smell greeted my nose'. This is a poetic or literary way of saying that you experienced or noticed something immediately upon arriving or waking up.

Greet is the verb, which is the action you do. Greeting is the noun, which is the word or gesture you use. You perform the action of greeting (verb) by giving someone a greeting (noun). For example, 'I will greet him (verb) with a warm greeting (noun)'.

Usually, no. Greet is a transitive verb, so it takes a direct object. You say 'I greet my friend', not 'I greet to my friend'. However, if you are using the passive voice, you use prepositions like 'by' or 'with', such as 'He was greeted by his friend' or 'He was greeted with a smile'.

The word greet itself is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual conversation, native speakers often prefer to use phrases like 'say hi' or 'say hello'. Greet is slightly more common in writing, storytelling, or formal instructions.

In a professional email, the greeting is the very first line. Common professional greetings include 'Dear [Name]', 'Hello [Name]', or 'Good morning [Name]'. It is important to use the person's correct title and name to show respect and establish a professional tone.

This is a common idiom that means an idea, a joke, or an announcement received no reaction from the audience. It usually implies that the audience was shocked, confused, or disapproved of what was said. For example, 'His bad joke was greeted with silence'.

Absolutely! Animals can perform the action of greeting. When you come home and your dog wags its tail, jumps up, and barks happily, that is the dog's way of greeting you. You can say, 'My dog always greets me at the door'.

A 'meet and greet' is a specific type of organized event where a famous person, like an author, musician, or politician, spends time meeting their fans, signing autographs, and saying hello to them individually. It is a noun phrase used to describe the whole event.

Greeting is the absolute first step in any social interaction. If you do not know how to greet someone properly in a new language, you cannot start a conversation, make friends, or show respect. It is the foundation of communicative competence and cultural understanding.