ahoy
n. C2 Proficiency US //əˈhɔɪ// UK //ɐhˈɔɪ// ahoy
n. a friendly way to say hello, often used by sailors or in a playful way. It is a bit old-fashioned and sounds like a pirate greeting.
n. a greeting used by sailors or in a lighthearted manner to attract attention. Often used in nautical contexts or as a humorous alternative to 'hello'.
Ahoy, mate! How are you today?
The captain shouted 'Ahoy' as the ship finally came into view of the harbor.
From a- + hoy (a nautical call used in hauling), from Middle English hoy (interjection), a greeting dating back to the fourteenth century. Compare Dutch hoi (“hi!, hello!”).