greet
gb/ɡɹˈit/ us/ɡɹˈit/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
say hello or welcome
To say hello or show welcome to someone when you see them.
Usage pattern:
to greet [someone] [with something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'greet' with 'meet.' 'Greet' means to say hello or welcome someone, while 'meet' means to come together for the first time or by arrangement.
Synonyms
welcome (Often used when receiving someone into a place or event, sometimes with more formality.)
|
salute (More formal or military-specific form of greeting.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not acknowledge someone when meeting them.)
Collocations
greet warmly
|greet with a smile
|greet each other
|greet guests
|greet the day
Themes
daily life
|communication
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She greeted me at the door with a big smile.
- The teacher greeted each student as they entered the classroom.
- They greeted the new neighbors with a cake and flowers.
- He greeted his old friend with a warm handshake.
- The receptionist greeted visitors politely.
Learner examples
- I greeted my friend at the bus stop.
- She greeted her mother when she came home.
- We greeted the teacher in the morning.
- He greeted me with a smile.
- They greeted the guests at the party.
Verb
literary
B2
action
2
react on first encounter
To show a feeling or reaction when you first see or hear something.
Usage pattern:
to be greeted by/with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse passive 'be greeted with' structures as meaning someone said hello, but here it means to receive a reaction.
Synonyms
receive (In this context, it means to experience a reaction from others or from oneself.)
Antonyms
dismiss (To refuse to react positively or acknowledge something.)
Collocations
greet with applause
|greet with silence
|greet with enthusiasm
Themes
emotions
|experience
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The announcement was greeted with cheers.
- Her suggestion was greeted by silence.
- He was greeted with hostility when he arrived.
Learner examples
- The news was greeted with joy.
- The plan was greeted by many questions.
- His idea was greeted with laughter.
Grammar
Dictionary form
greet
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈit/
US/ɡɹˈit/
Syllables & stress
greet (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (greet)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: greet
- 3rd Person Singular: greets
- Present Participle: greeting
- Past: greeted
Word family
Forms
greets
verb
greeting
verb
greeted
verb
Related words
greeter
noun
welcome
verb A2
Expressions
be greeted with open arms
1/bˈi ɡɹˈitɪd wˈɪθ ˈoʊpən ˈɑɹmz/
idiom
receive warmly and gladly
To be welcomed in a very friendly and happy way.
Examples
- The new policy was greeted with open arms by the staff.
- After years abroad, she was greeted with open arms by her family.
greet the day
1/ɡɹˈit ðə dˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
welcome the morning
To start the day in a particular way, often happily or energetically.
Examples
- She greeted the day with a smile and a cup of coffee.
- They stepped outside to greet the day after a long night indoors.