greet
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To address with expressions of goodwill, welcome, or recognition upon meeting or arrival.
To react to something in a specified way; to be perceived by (a sight, sound, or smell).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the act of welcoming or acknowledging someone's arrival. The secondary, figurative meaning (e.g., 'greeted by a mess') is less common but standard.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant grammatical differences. The secondary meaning ('to be perceived by') is equally understood.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Slightly more formal than 'say hello to' in everyday contexts.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in the phrase 'greet with' (e.g., 'greeted with applause').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVOO (He greeted me warmly)SVO (She greeted the visitors)Passive (He was greeted at the door)SVO with NP (They greeted the plan with scepticism)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “greet with open arms”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Formal greeting of clients or partners is expected.
Academic
Rare in core academic writing; may appear in social or ethnographic descriptions.
Everyday
Common for describing social interactions upon meeting.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please greet our guests from the Leeds office.
- He was greeted by an unpleasant smell in the hallway.
American English
- The host will greet you at the restaurant entrance.
- The proposal was greeted with immediate criticism.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I greet my teacher every morning.
- Dogs greet their owners happily.
- You should greet customers with a smile.
- We went to the airport to greet our relatives.
- The new policy was greeted with widespread approval.
- She greeted the controversial news with remarkable calm.
- The returning champion was greeted by a tumultuous roar from the crowd.
- His insightful comments were invariably greeted with thoughtful silence by the committee.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GREET' as 'GREat mEETing' – what you do when you have a great meeting with someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS PHYSICAL CONTACT (e.g., 'greet with a hug'), ARRIVAL IS AN EVENT TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'greet' for simply saying 'hi' in passing; it implies a more deliberate act of welcoming. Do not confuse with 'приветствовать' in all its abstract senses (e.g., 'to welcome an idea'). 'Greet' is not used for congratulating (поздравлять).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'greet to someone' (incorrect preposition). Correct: 'greet someone'.
- Confusing 'greet' with 'congratulate'.
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'say hi' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'greet' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While primarily for people, it can be used figuratively for things (e.g., 'greet the news with joy' or 'a mess greeted me').
'Greet' is the initial act of acknowledgment. 'Welcome' is broader, often including making someone feel comfortable over a period. You greet someone at the door, then welcome them into your home.
Yes, 'greeted' is the standard past tense and past participle form (e.g., 'Yesterday, I greeted the manager').
Yes, this is a common collocation describing the manner of greeting in some cultures.