greetgreet /ɡriːt/ ●●○ verb [transitive] 
Belinda greeted her warmly.greet somebody with something Bill opened the door to Harold and greeted him with cries of welcome.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually use say hello (to somebody) rather than greet somebody: She came out to greet us. ➔ She came out to say hello.2to react to something in a particular waybe greeted with/by something His statement was greeted with cries of astonishment and indignation.GRAMMAR Greet is usually passive in this meaning.3to be the first thing you see or hear when you arrive somewhere: Complete silence greeted us as we entered the room.
WORD ORIGINgreet
Origin:
Old English gretanVERB TABLE
greet
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | greet |
| he, she, it | greets | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | greeted |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have greeted |
| he, she, it | has greeted | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had greeted |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will greet |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have greeted |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am greeting |
| he, she, it | is greeting | |
| you, we, they | are greeting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was greeting |
| you, we, they | were greeting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been greeting |
| he, she, it | has been greeting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been greeting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be greeting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been greeting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- As we entered, complete chaos greeted us.
- Donaldson's remarks were greeted with cautious enthusiasm.
- Mr Grimshaw got up from behind his desk to greet me and offer me a chair.
- She greeted each of the guests as they came through the door.
- The delegation was greeted by the President.
- The news has been greeted angrily within Egyptian government circles.
- The proposals were greeted with a mixture of skepticism and distrust.
- As Yeltsin got up to greet Stroyev, he grasped the desk to steady himself.
- Bugs Bunny and other Warner cartoon characters wait to greet you, alongside the ranks of popcorn dispensers.
- I heard Miss Temple greet them as the wife and daughters of Mr Brocklehurst.
- Norma greeted him at the door as though nothing had happened.
- Omar greeted those nearby as he spread their blanket with a flourish on to the damp ground.
- Open-mouthed and stale-breathed, they greet the day with a groan.
- Perhaps he greets all ladies as he greeted me, but I think not.
Longman Language Activatorto say hello to someone
· The two men said hello and shook hands.· I saw Mrs Trevors in the village, and she didn't even say hello!· I just wanted to call and say hello and find out how you're doing.
to say hello to someone when they arrive, showing that you are pleased to see them: · She greeted each of the guests as they came through the door.· Mr Grimshaw got up from behind his desk to greet me and offer me a chair.
the words you use to say hello to someone when they arrive and show that you are pleased to see them: · Michelle shouted out a greeting from across the room.· Siegfried bustled in, muttered a greeting, and began to pour his coffee.exchange greetings (=greet someone and be greeted by them): · Jim paused next to the fence to exchange greetings with his neighbor on the other side.
to greet someone who has arrived for the first time in your town, home, office etc, and show that you are glad they have come: · The visitors were welcomed at reception and shown where to go.· Texans tend to welcome newcomers and go out of their way to be friendly.
to react to something to say or do something because of what another person has said or done, or because of something that has happened: · How did your parents react when you told them you were going to marry Jim?· It's hard not to react badly when your kids are playing up.react to: · People reacted to the speech in different ways.· The chairman reacted angrily to the report and said it would make it much harder to reach a deal.react against: · Emma is not behaving very reasonably nowadays. I think she's reacting against her teachers' strictness.react by doing something: · A shot was fired, and the police reacted by firing into the crowd.react with disappointment/laughter/violence etc: · When children perform poorly at school, parents often react with anger.· Many gays reacted with outrage at the tactic of "outing" senior public figures.
to react to something that someone has said to you, or something that someone has done to you or for you: · The more attention you pay him, the better he responds.respond with: · Rob's smile was irresistible, and she responded with a grin.respond to: · The children responded well to the day's activities.· The theatre has been slow to respond to the challenges presented by progressive drama.respond by doing something: · The demonstrators attacked and burned buildings and cars; the soldiers responded by opening fire.
to react to something with a particular attitude or with a particular action: · The news has been greeted angrily within Egyptian government circles.be greeted with something: · Donaldson's remarks were greeted with cautious enthusiasm.· The proposals were greeted with a mixture of skepticism and distrust.
to get a particular reaction, especially a negative one: · The proposals met with fierce opposition from women's groups and labour unions.· Any attempts to impose a solution would be quite likely to meet with even more violence.to be met with: · The US says any further attacks will be met with the full force of the US military.
to react too strongly to something that has happened, especially by becoming extremely angry, worried, or afraid: · Don't you think you're overreacting? I only said "hi". It's not as if we're having an affair!overreact to: · Some residents overreact to the problem of crime by just not going out at all.· The state has dramatically overreacted to the use of soft drugs.overreact with: · Overreacting with shock when a child uses a swear word is likely to make him use it again.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES His speech was greeted with derision by opposition leaders. Terry greeted the visitor warmly.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
formal (=react to it in a particular way)· The announcement was. greeted with cheers on both sides of the House.
· His suggestion was greeted with delight.
His speech was greeted with derision by opposition leaders.· Roger was busy greeting the guests as they arrived.
· He greeted all of his guests with a handshake and a glass of wine.
(=react to something by laughing)· Her remarks were greeted with mocking laughter.
(=use someone’s name when you see them)· The waiter greeted him by name.
formal (=react to the news in a particular way)· Fans greeted the news of the victory with a loud cheer.
Terry greeted the visitor warmly.· This is not always greeted with respect by other inmates or by staff.· To ensure a comfortable, homey environment, always greet new arrivals by name and ask how they are feeling.· Always greet the guest warmly by name and say something pleasant, never argue or contradict, and avoid controversial conversation.· Primo and Mariah always greeted them when they walked past and sometimes Mariah would sit with them and chat.· I was always greeted with warmth and affection.
· He entered the hospital ten minutes later and was warmly greeted by his colleagues.· When the consultant arrives for interviews, is he or she greeted warmly and given sufficient time for discussion?· I am greeted warmly by the headmaster.
NOUN· Two pairs of hands were missing from the dutiful applause that greeted his speech.· Tumultuous applause greeted a surprised Gerald as he made his way up towards their Majesties.
· Scant public attention has greeted the arrival of the children.· After picking up their baggage, they were greeted in the arrivals hall by excited parents.· To ensure a comfortable, homey environment, always greet new arrivals by name and ask how they are feeling.· Roker, Tom, turnkey who greets Pickwick on his arrival at the Fleet, and finds him accommodation.· In such a case, I would greet the group upon arrival at the hotel or the airport.· The staff who had greeted her arrival with such scepticism were sad to see her go.· Bradshaw rather unwisely greeted McLean's arrival in the ring by nutting him.
· Visitors to Manchester Arena are greeted with a large crowd, singing, Kum ba yah, my Lord.· A friend and I, by chance leaving the hotel, stopped to watch the candidates greet the crowd.· Along the route they were greeted by cheering crowds and doused with rose water.
· As Mr Clarke was interviewed, his answers were greeted with cries of outrage.· People met and greeted each other with little cries of welcome.· Nothing but silence greeted my cries.· His statement was greeted with cries of mock astonishment and indignation by Tory back-benchers.· The not-guilty verdicts were greeted with cries of delight and tears from some defendants and applause from the gallery.
· In more or less recognizable weather, more or less recognizable birds are greeting the dawn.· Again and again he played back the recording made when TMA-1 greeted the dawn for the first time in three million years.· Ari held Nathan's hand as everyone greeted the dawn of the Solstice Day.· Then the barricaded rebels of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement greet the dawn with militant anthems and defiant chants.
· The Jospin administration's job-creating brainchild was greeted with hoots of derision when it was announced in 1997.· The speech was greeted with derision by opposition leaders.· My stories, however, were greeted with disbelief and derision, and I felt increasingly rejected.· However, the move has been greeted with derision by many academics.
· But perhaps ... She opened the surgery door and Helen greeted her with a great sigh of relief.· The Second Son opened the majlis door, greeted the doctor and called a servant to send for his father.· I walked through the door, and was greeted with the same familiar mess.
· Later on, backstage, I am greeted with enthusiasm, as if I were a long-lost friend or something.· He was greeted with ambivalent enthusiasm.· He bounced ideas off colleagues everywhere he went, and they were greeted with enthusiasm.· The President made a rum effort at greeting her news with enthusiasm, but I could see he was crestfallen.· It was a long document which took about forty minutes to read and it was not greeted with warm enthusiasm.· Like all new schemes or revisions of old ones, this New Scheme was greeted with enthusiasm.· X-rays were greeted with uncritical enthusiasm.
· By 11am 1,000 people were milling around Parliament Square, keeping off the grass, and greeting old friends.· He greets friends warmly, kissing men and women on both cheeks, making introductions.· Many old friends had been greeted and new friends made.· She turned and greeted her friend, then continued sitting in thoughtful silence.· We now greet each other like old friends.· Kenneth is greeted by an old friend who congratulates him on his centenary.
· Constance detected a change in the atmosphere as Giancarlo excused himself and walked down the steps to greet his last guest.· Some of us would join my parents to greet guests.· Always greet the guest warmly by name and say something pleasant, never argue or contradict, and avoid controversial conversation.· His hostess was beginning to wilt as she greeted the guests who, by now, were queuing half-way up the grand staircase.· Minnie greets guests, signs autographs and poses for photos by her house.· He didn't as a rule greet all his guests, but this was different.
· Mrs Chatterji points the child homeward, then turns to Maya, who has folded her hands in traditional Bengali greeting.· He had misjudged the audience, which, sitting rapt in Steve Jobs's hands greeted this comment with boos and hisses.· Clinton went in, shook hands, greeted kids, then sampled the goods.· Ari held Nathan's hand as everyone greeted the dawn of the Solstice Day.· With a sudden lurch, the phone slams down and a great hand goes out in greeting.· He had shaken my hand all week on greeting me, but this time, on departing, he hugged me.
· On Monday morning we were greeted by the view of Bequia, one of 32 islands which make up the wonderful Grenadines.· The following morning, owner Elaine greeted us with fresh coffee and conversation while she prepared a wonderful breakfast.· Stirred, white, green and shaken, they emerged the following morning to greet the new day.· A crisp winter morning greeted us with snow quilted in twinkling ice crystals.
· To ensure a comfortable, homey environment, always greet new arrivals by name and ask how they are feeling.· They keep coming back for the friendly hellos by waitresses who greet them by name.· The officer in charge greeted Schoene by name and led her aside.
· Back home 2,000 fans greeted the news of the victory by throwing their hats into the air.· The President made a rum effort at greeting her news with enthusiasm, but I could see he was crestfallen.· And be greeted with the news in her morning newspaper, if his luck continued on its present course.· Shelley Thomas, the recipe tester, greets him with news that the recipe really needs work.· Such was Barlow's callous attitude to his victims that great public satisfaction greeted the news when the tables were finally turned.· The world greeted the news as if President Tucker had reintroduced mustard gas.· Cooke was a happier man when greeting the news that full-back Jon Webb is assured of completing the season.· Initially, at least, they greeted the news rapturously.
· You could try the Samoan method, whereby each greets the other with his own name.· The two, often at odds during work hours, greeted each other like old friends and made lunch plans.· They have come a long way, so they spend the first few hours greeting each other.· Husband and wife greeted each other at a spot along the highway.
· Small wonder then that yesterday's new dawn was greeted with scepticism at the chalk face.· These findings were greeted with scepticism by the motor vehicle industry, the oil industry, and the vehicle-loving public.· This claim was greeted with scepticism by both campaigners and foreign diplomats.
· Today we are greeted with smiles.· This news was greeted with smiles and exclamations of approval.· Elisabeth greeted him with a smile of relief, her teeth prominent beneath swollen lips.
· I recalled how Masko had gone through into the baggage hall at Heathrow to greet the Sochi visitors.· A sophomore at Goucher College, she greets a visitor gravely, then gives a tiny, charming hop of excitement.· It's now the centrepiece of a country park which greets 100,000 visitors a year.· I think it is our duty to greet such a distinguished visitor.· Nesta greeted the visitors with hugs and kisses.· M University campus, will begin greeting visitors later this year.
VERB· A small window on each floor let me watch the world receding, and see the far light coming to greet me.· Then wash up, change your clothes, and come greet your future in-laws.· They set up the pageant in a village street, and not one cottager came out to greet them.· No one came to greet us.· His housekeeper came out to greet him.· The Princesse came to greet them as soon as they were over the threshold.· The last time he had come to greet some one from Mars it had been DeVore.
· D'Aubigny rose, greeted us civilly and indicated we should sit with him.· As you see, I am confined to this chair and can not rise to greet you.· We rose to greet her and then settled back into place like so many fluttering pigeons.· Alistair rose to greet them and show them around.· He switched on the dressing-table lamp as she rose to greet him.· I rose to greet them, wondering how I would provide tea for such a multitude.· The smell of mothballs rose to greet her.· In the living room, the two men rise to greet her.
· The other Rex turned to greet them.· She turned and greeted her friend, then continued sitting in thoughtful silence.· He did not turn to greet me, but waited until I was beside him.· For Yorkshiremen the meeting was like the town turning out to greet the local boy who scored in the Cup Final.· And at Scotch Corner, fellow members of motorcycling clubs to which they belong turned out to greet them.
· The Youngest Son waited to greet us, and what a contrast from the last time I saw him.· Twenty thousand were on the field at Columbus, Ohio, the last stop before Cleveland, waiting to greet them.· Bugs Bunny and other Warner cartoon characters wait to greet you, alongside the ranks of popcorn dispensers.· The Campbells were waiting to greet him in the hall, and Elizabeth saw him for the first time.· Harriet Tremayne, waiting to greet her daughter and new son-in-law on Penzance station was, understandably, nervous.· David Fairfax waited to greet his daughter, and then said good-bye to Sara.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1to say hello to someone or welcome them: - And if the turnout was any indication, the parish was welcoming them with open arms.
- Did I welcome him with open arms?
- He greeted Riley with open arms.
- He welcomed them with open arms, talked freely, played draughts with the younger and learned tables from the elder.
- Mind, I welcomed them with open arms because it meant I could stay off school.
- Now we welcome death with open arms, especially when we are old.
- Would you welcome them with open arms?
Belinda greeted her warmly.greet somebody with something Bill opened the door to Harold and greeted him with cries of welcome.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually use say hello (to somebody) rather than greet somebody: She came out to greet us. ➔ She came out to say hello.2to react to something in a particular waybe greeted with/by something His statement was greeted with cries of astonishment and indignation.GRAMMAR Greet is usually passive in this meaning.3to be the first thing you see or hear when you arrive somewhere: Complete silence greeted us as we entered the room.