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greet

v.
US //ˈɡɹit// UK //ɡɹˈiːt// greet
  1. 1 to welcome someone (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to say hello or welcome someone when you meet them.

    to address someone with expressions of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival.

    Example

    She smiled and greeted her guests at the front door.

    Example

    The ambassador greeted each delegate personally, ensuring that the atmosphere remained cordial before the formal negotiations began.

    Usage

    This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.
  2. 2 to react to news (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to react to a piece of news or an idea in a specific way.

    to receive or respond to information or an event in a particular manner.

    Example

    The news of the price increase was greeted with anger by the customers.

    Example

    The proposal to shorten the work week was greeted with cautious optimism by the union representatives during the press conference.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice followed by 'with'.
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  1. 3 to be seen or heard (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    to be the first thing you notice when you enter a place.

    to meet the sight, hearing, or other senses of a person upon their arrival.

    Example

    A beautiful view of the mountains greeted us as we reached the top.

    Example

    As the explorers entered the hidden valley, a silence so profound it felt heavy greeted them, broken only by the distant rush of a waterfall.
  2. 4 to cry (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Dialect

    to cry or weep because you are sad.

    to weep or lament audibly.

    Example

    The young child began to greet when he realized he had lost his favorite toy.

    Example

    In the traditional ballad, the heroine is described as greeting for her lost love by the banks of the river.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is specific to Scottish and Northern English dialects; learners should use 'cry' or 'weep' in standard contexts.
Etymology 1

From Middle English greten, from Old English grētan, from Proto-West Germanic grōtijan, from Proto-Germanic grōtijaną.

Etymology 2

From Middle English greet, grete (“great”).

Etymology 3

From a blend of two Old English verbs, grētan, grǣtan (itself from Proto-West Germanic grātan); and of Old English grēotan (itself from greutan), both meaning "to weep, lament". Possibly reinforced in Northern England and Scotland by Old Norse gráta, whence also Danish græde, Norwegian gråte, Swedish gråta, all meaning "to cry, to weep".

Word family

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