# allo

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/allo
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a word used in some African languages to mean 'hello' or 'hi'. It is often used by people who want to sound friendly or to show they are from a specific part of Africa.

For teachers: a greeting term in various African languages, most notably in the Kikongo language. In English contexts, it is frequently used as a loanword to signify a casual greeting or to indicate a connection to African heritage.

## Examples

- He greeted his friend with a loud allo.
- The street performer began his routine with a cheerful allo to the crowd.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.