hollo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Low
UK/ˈhɒləʊ/US/ˈhɑːloʊ/

Archaic/Literary/Poetic

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Quick answer

What does “hollo” mean?

to shout loudly, especially to attract attention or to express excitement while hunting.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

to shout loudly, especially to attract attention or to express excitement while hunting.

A shout or call of "hollo"; to cry out or shout; to urge on with shouts.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant modern differences; both consider it archaic. Possibly slightly more preserved in British historical/literary contexts.

Connotations

Evokes a rustic, historical, or literary atmosphere. Associated with hunting scenes or calls across distances.

Frequency

Extremely rare in contemporary use in both varieties. Found in older literature and poetry.

Grammar

How to Use “hollo” in a Sentence

SUBJ + hollo (+ to + OBJ)SUBJ + hollo + OBJ (rare, e.g., a greeting)SUBJ + give a hollo

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
to hollo a greetingheard a hollo
medium
hollo to someonegive a hollo
weak
hollo acrosshollo in the woods

Examples

Examples of “hollo” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • He holloed to his friend from the other side of the valley.
  • The hunt master holloed to encourage the hounds.

American English

  • She holloed a warning when she saw the rock fall.
  • They would hollo to each other across the lake.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Only in historical or literary analysis.

Everyday

Virtually never used.

Technical

Not used.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “hollo”

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “hollo”

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “hollo”

  • Using it in modern speech.
  • Spelling it as 'hollow' when meaning a shout.
  • Pronouncing it as /ˈhəʊləʊ/.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. 'Hollo' is an archaic shout or call, often used to attract attention over a distance. 'Hello' is a modern greeting.

Yes, though rarely. It can refer to the shout itself, e.g., 'He gave a hollo.'

No, it is considered archaic. You will only encounter it in older literature, poetry, or very specific dialectal use.

'Hollo' is a shout. 'Hollow' is an adjective meaning having a hole or empty space inside. 'Halloo' is another variant of a shout to attract attention, often used in hunting.

to shout loudly, especially to attract attention or to express excitement while hunting.

Hollo is usually archaic/literary/poetic in register.

Hollo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒləʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːloʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • within hollo (archaic: within calling distance)

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a hunter named HOLLis giving a LOud shout: "HOLL-O!"

Conceptual Metaphor

VOICE IS A PROJECTILE (to hollo something across a distance).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the old tale, the knight would to signal his companions.
Multiple Choice

In which context would the word 'hollo' be MOST appropriately used today?