Hi: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage

Meaning 1：hi (hi)

hi 🔊

/haɪ/

int.

A friendly word you say when you meet someone, more casual than 'hello'.

Young person waving hand saying hi in sunny street

hi 🔊

➕

/haɪ/

int.

A casual greeting used when meeting someone, more informal than 'hello'.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Natural exclamation used as a greeting, first recorded in the 15th century.

💡 Mnemonic

Say 'hi' with a smile — it sounds like 'high', so raise your hand high to greet!

📖 Example

I waved and shouted, "Hi, Alex! I haven't seen you in ages!" 🔊 I waved and shouted, 'Hi, Alex! I haven't seen you in ages!'

🔗 Collocations

say hi – To greet someone

wave hi – To wave one's hand as a greeting

hi there – A casual greeting phrase

🔄 Synonyms

hello (int.) – A standard greeting, more formal than 'hi'.

hey (int.) – A very informal greeting, often used to get attention.

howdy (int.) – A friendly greeting, especially in American Southern dialects.

🚫 Antonyms

goodbye (int.) – A parting exclamation, opposite of greeting.

farewell (int.) – A formal expression of goodbye.

📖 Cultural Story

First recorded in the 15th century, 'hi' likely derived from a shout to attract attention. Today it is the most common informal greeting in English, used globally in casual settings.