What is greet? Pronunciation and usage in English

greet means . Learn how to pronounce and use greet through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of greet

greetverb

/ɡriːt//ɡriːt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "greet" in English. Here's a breakdown:

Core Pronunciation:

  • ɡriːt (pronounced like "gree-et")

Let's break it down further:

  • "gr": This is pronounced like the "g" in "go." It's a fairly strong, clear "g" sound.
  • "ee": This is a long "e" sound, like in "see" or "tree." It's a clear, sustained vowel.
  • "t": A simple, standard "t" sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("gree"). This means that "gree" is slightly louder and longer than "et."
  • Vowel sound: Focus on a pure "ee" sound – not like "eat."

Resources to hear it:

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Usage and examples with the word greet in English

Let's break down how to use the word "greet" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different shades of meaning.

1. As a Verb (Most Common Usage): To Welcome or Say Hello

This is the most frequent way to use "greet." It means to acknowledge someone’s presence and offer a friendly welcome.

  • Simple Greetings:

    • "I greeted her with a smile and a 'Good morning.'"
    • "He greeted me warmly when I arrived."
    • "Don't forget to greet your guests as they enter."

  • Formal Greetings:

    • "The ambassador greeted the visiting dignitary." (More formal and respectful)
    • "She greeted him politely with a bow."

  • Greetings in Specific Contexts:

    • "The sales team greets each customer with a handshake."
    • "The news anchor greeted the viewers with a cheerful tone."

2. As a Noun: An Act of Greeting

"Greet" can also be used as a noun to refer to the action of welcoming someone.

  • "It was a lovely greeting – warm and sincere."
  • "The guest received a formal greeting from the host."
  • "The company’s greeting was professional and efficient."

Here's a breakdown of how to use it in different situations with examples:

Situation Example Meaning
Meeting someone "I greeted my colleague in the hallway." Offered a welcome and acknowledgment.
Welcoming guests "We greeted our guests at the door." Said hello and welcomed them.
Formal Event "The president greeted the crowd." Offered a formal welcome.
Online communication “I greeted him with a simple ‘Hi.’” Said hello in a digital setting.

Synonyms for "Greet":

  • Welcome: (Often a closer synonym) - “I welcomed her to the party.”
  • Salute: (More formal) - "He saluted the flag."
  • Address: (More formal, often used for speeches) - "The speaker greeted the audience."
  • Say hello: (Informal) - “Just say hello to your mom.”
  • Acknowledge: (Simply recognizing someone's presence) - "I acknowledged his presence with a nod."

Tips for Using "Greet" Correctly:

  • Consider the context: Is it a formal or informal situation?
  • Use appropriate body language: A smile, nod, handshake, or verbal greeting all contribute to a genuine welcome.
  • Don’t forget to say “Hello” or “Hi”: "Greet" is often used within a simple "Hello" or "Hi."

Do you want me to:

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  • Explain the difference between "greet" and similar words like "welcome" or "acknowledge"?

Synonyms for the word greet

Practice with vocabulary greet

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The event organizer will ______ all attendees personally as they enter the ballroom.
  2. It is professional etiquette to ______ clients with a firm handshake and direct eye contact.
  3. During the Q&A session, the speaker paused to ______ the insightful question from the student.
  4. I hope to ______ the new department head at the upcoming company luncheon.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. When new business partners arrive for a negotiation, it's crucial to ______ them warmly. a) greet b) dismiss c) welcome d) ignore

  2. The company policy states that security personnel must ______ all visitors at the main entrance and verify their credentials. a) greet b) interrogate c) ignore d) acknowledge

  3. After returning from his sabbatical, he was eager to ______ his colleagues and catch up on office news. a) greet b) reconnect with c) confront d) avoid

  4. Before the keynote speaker began, the moderator took a moment to ______ the virtual audience and review the event's agenda. a) address b) dismiss c) question d) criticize

  5. It is considered professional to ______ yourself to new team members on your first day of work. a) present b) introduce c) explain d) summarize

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Upon his arrival at the conference, the keynote speaker was met by a panel of organizers. Rewrite the sentence using "greet" or a related word form.

  2. A friendly 'good morning' is usually the initial interaction you have with your co-workers each day. Rewrite the sentence using "greet" or a related word form.

  3. Before the presentation, the presenter made brief eye contact with everyone in the room. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word instead of "greet" or related forms.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. greet
  2. greet
  3. acknowledge
  4. meet

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) greet, c) welcome
  2. a) greet, d) acknowledge
  3. a) greet, b) reconnect with
  4. a) address
  5. b) introduce

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. A panel of organizers greeted the keynote speaker upon his arrival at the conference.
  2. You usually greet your co-workers each day with a friendly 'good morning'.
  3. Before the presentation, the presenter acknowledged everyone in the room by making brief eye contact.

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