In 15 Seconds
- A polite greeting for first-time introductions.
- Best used in professional or serious social settings.
- Often accompanied by a firm, friendly handshake.
Meaning
This is a polite way to tell someone you are happy to meet them for the first time. It is like giving a warm, professional smile with your words.
Key Examples
3 of 7Starting a job interview
Hello Mr. Smith, pleased to meet you.
Hello Mr. Smith, pleased to meet you.
Meeting a new neighbor
I'm Sarah from next door, pleased to meet you!
I'm Sarah from next door, pleased to meet you!
Meeting your partner's parents
It is finally great to see you, pleased to meet you both.
It is finally great to see you, pleased to meet you both.
Cultural Background
In the US, 'Pleased to meet you' is often paired with a firm handshake and direct eye contact. Americans value confidence and friendliness in first meetings. British speakers might use 'Pleased to meet you' as a slightly more formal alternative to 'Nice to meet you'. It is very common in professional settings in London. In international business, this phrase is the 'safe' choice. It is polite enough for any culture without being overly intimate or too stiff. On Zoom or Slack, people often add 'virtually' to the phrase to acknowledge that they aren't meeting in person. In the Southern United States, you might hear 'Pleased to meet you, ma'am' or 'sir' as an extra layer of traditional politeness.
The Handshake Rule
Always offer a handshake when saying this phrase in a business context. It completes the social ritual.
The 'Too' Trap
If someone says it to you first, don't just say 'Yes'. Say 'Pleased to meet you, too' or 'Likewise'.
In 15 Seconds
- A polite greeting for first-time introductions.
- Best used in professional or serious social settings.
- Often accompanied by a firm, friendly handshake.
What It Means
Pleased to meet you is a classic English greeting. It tells the other person that meeting them is a positive experience. It is slightly more elegant than a simple Hi. Think of it as the 'nice suit' of greetings. It shows respect and good manners immediately.
How To Use It
Use this phrase right after someone introduces themselves. Usually, you shake hands while saying it. Keep eye contact and give a small smile. You can also say It is a pleasure to meet you for extra impact. If they say it first, just reply with And you! or Likewise.
When To Use It
This phrase shines in professional settings. Use it at a job interview or a business conference. It is perfect for meeting your partner's parents. Use it when meeting a teacher or a new neighbor. It works best when you want to make a great first impression. It feels safe, polite, and very 'adult'.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this with people you already know. That would be very awkward! Avoid it at loud, messy parties with friends. If everyone is wearing flip-flops, it might be too stiff. Do not use it in a casual text message to a peer. In those cases, a simple Hey or Nice to meet you is better.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, the first ten seconds of a meeting are vital. This phrase comes from a time when etiquette was very strict. Today, it remains a standard 'social lubricant'. It helps break the ice without being too personal. It is especially common in the UK and formal US circles. It signals that you are someone who understands social rules.
Common Variations
Nice to meet you(The most common, friendly version)Great to meet you(More enthusiastic and modern)It's a pleasure(Very formal and sophisticated)Lovely to meet you(Very common in British English)How do you do?(Extremely old-fashioned, rarely used now)
Usage Notes
This phrase sits firmly in the 'formal' category. It is the safest choice for any situation where you want to show respect or professionalism without sounding robotic.
The Handshake Rule
Always offer a handshake when saying this phrase in a business context. It completes the social ritual.
The 'Too' Trap
If someone says it to you first, don't just say 'Yes'. Say 'Pleased to meet you, too' or 'Likewise'.
Use the Name
Adding the person's name at the end (e.g., 'Pleased to meet you, Mr. Smith') makes you sound much more professional and attentive.
Eye Contact
In English-speaking cultures, failing to make eye contact while saying this can make you seem untrustworthy.
Examples
7Hello Mr. Smith, pleased to meet you.
Hello Mr. Smith, pleased to meet you.
Sets a professional tone for the interview.
I'm Sarah from next door, pleased to meet you!
I'm Sarah from next door, pleased to meet you!
Friendly but keeps a polite distance.
It is finally great to see you, pleased to meet you both.
It is finally great to see you, pleased to meet you both.
Shows respect to elders or family members.
I've heard great things about your work; pleased to meet you.
I've heard great things about your work; pleased to meet you.
Combines a compliment with a formal greeting.
Oh, we've met three times before? Well, pleased to meet you again!
Oh, we've met three times before? Well, pleased to meet you again!
Using formality to hide the embarrassment of forgetting someone.
Pleased to meet you, Your Honor.
Pleased to meet you, Your Honor.
Used when meeting someone with a high title.
Hi John, pleased to meet you over email.
Hi John, pleased to meet you over email.
Adapting the formal phrase for digital communication.
Test Yourself
Complete the formal introduction.
A: Hello, I'm Dr. Aris. B: ______ to meet you, Dr. Aris.
We use the adjective 'Pleased' in this set phrase.
Which response is the most appropriate for a job interview?
Interviewer: 'Welcome to the company, I'm the CEO.'
This is the correct formal register for a first meeting with a superior.
Complete the response to the greeting.
Person A: 'Pleased to meet you, Sarah.' Person B: 'Pleased to meet you, ______.'
'Too' is the standard way to reciprocate a greeting in English.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When should you say 'Pleased to meet you'?
It is a formal greeting used only for first introductions.
Match the register to the phrase.
Registers and Phrases
Pleased to meet you is the standard formal introduction.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of Greetings
Practice Bank
5 exercisesA: Hello, I'm Dr. Aris. B: ______ to meet you, Dr. Aris.
We use the adjective 'Pleased' in this set phrase.
Interviewer: 'Welcome to the company, I'm the CEO.'
This is the correct formal register for a first meeting with a superior.
Person A: 'Pleased to meet you, Sarah.' Person B: 'Pleased to meet you, ______.'
'Too' is the standard way to reciprocate a greeting in English.
When should you say 'Pleased to meet you'?
It is a formal greeting used only for first introductions.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Pleased to meet you is the standard formal introduction.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt's not 'better', just more formal. Use 'Pleased' for business and 'Nice' for friends.
You can, but it might sound like you are joking or being very formal for no reason.
The shortest polite response is 'Likewise' or 'You too'.
No, at the end you say 'It was a pleasure meeting you' or 'Nice meeting you'.
Both are correct. 'Pleased to meet you' is an adjective phrase; 'Pleasure to meet you' is a noun phrase. Both are formal.
Yes, it's very common in formal email introductions.
Yes, adding 'I'm' makes it a full, very polite sentence.
It's okay! Just say 'Pleased to meet you' and then later ask, 'I'm sorry, could you repeat your name?'
Yes, it is universally understood and used in all major English-speaking countries.
Yes, just add 'all' at the end: 'Pleased to meet you all'.
Modern English is becoming less formal, so 'Nice to meet you' has become the default for most daily interactions.
Not at all. It is still the standard for professional etiquette.
Related Phrases
Nice to meet you
similarA neutral/informal version of the same greeting.
It's a pleasure to meet you
builds onA more emphatic and formal version.
How do you do?
specialized formA very old-fashioned, formal greeting.
Glad to meet you
similarA slightly warmer, more personal version.
It was a pleasure meeting you
contrastA way to say goodbye after a first meeting.
