hail
1 of 5noun (1)
ˈhāl 
1
: precipitation in the form of small balls or lumps usually consisting of concentric layers of clear ice and compact snow
2
: something that gives the effect of a shower of hail
a hail of rifle fire
hail
2 of 5verb (1)
hailed; hailing; hails
intransitive verb
1
: to precipitate hail (see hail entry 1)
it was hailing hard
2
: to pour down or strike like hail
Bullets were hailing down on them.
hail
3 of 5verb (2)
hailed; hailing; hails
transitive verb
1
a
: to greet with enthusiastic approval : acclaim
hailed as a great success
b
: salute, greet
returning soldiers hailed with parades
2
: to greet or summon by calling
hail a taxi
intransitive verb
: to call out
especially : to call a greeting to a passing ship
hailer
ˈhā-lər
noun hail
4 of 5interjection
1
—used to express acclamation
hail to the chief
Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott2
archaic —used as a salutation
hail
5 of 5noun (2)
1
: an exclamation of greeting or acclamation
greeted the emperor with a hail
2
: a calling to attract attention
3
: hearing distance
stayed within hail
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- rain
- shower
- storm
Verb (2)
- acclaim
- accredit
- applaud
- cheer
- crack up
- laud
- praise
- salute
- tout
Noun (2)
- earshot
- hearing
- sound
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1) and Verb (1)
Middle English, from Old English hægl; akin to Old High German hagal hail
Interjection, Verb (2), and Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old Norse heill, from heill healthy — more at whole
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b
Interjection
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun (2)
1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing hail
Kids Definition
hail 1 of 3
noun
ˈhāl
1
: small lumps of ice and snow that fall from the clouds sometimes during thunderstorms
2
: volley entry 1 sense 1
a hail of bullets
hail
2 of 3verb
hailed; hailing
1
: to fall as hail
It's hailing hard.
2
: to pour down like hail Confetti hailed on the parade.
hail
3 of 3verb
hailed; hailing
1
: greet sense 1, welcome The town hailed the returning soldiers.
2
: to call out to
I'll hail a taxi.
hail 1 of 3
verb
1
as in to praise
to declare enthusiastic approval of the museum director hailed the artist's new installation as a groundbreaking work of genius Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- praise
- applaud
- acclaim
- salute
- laud
- cheer
- commend
- crack up
- tout
- accredit
- clap
- endorse
- approve
- bravo
- eulogize
- celebrate
- rise (to)
- favor
- recommend
- doff one's cap to
- doff one's hat to
- extol
- ballyhoo
- sing
- adulate
- emblazon
- extoll
- support
- magnify
- overpraise
- idolize
- flatter
- belaud
- glorify
- indorse
- deify
- root (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- knock
- pan
- slam
- blame
- disparage
- censure
- criticize
- belittle
- rebuke
- put down
- reproach
- reprobate
- chide
- admonish
- reprimand
- discommend
- reprove
- slag
- excoriate
- castigate
- vilify
- reprehend
- lambaste
- skewer
- keelhaul
- lambast
2
as in to summon
to demand or request the presence or service of let's hail a taxi hailed the waiter for the check Synonyms & Similar Words
- summon
- call
- ask
- invite
- send for
- request
- call out
- order
- cite
- call up
- assemble
- bid
- subpoena
- ring
- invoke
- demand
- whistle
- buzz
- convene
- beckon
- muster
- requisition
- convoke
- knell
- command
- page
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- send (away)
- dismiss
- turn away
- eject
- kick out
- expel
- banish
- rout
- throw out
- out
- oust
- cast out
- boot (out)
- run off
- drum (out)
- turf (out)
hail
2 of 3noun (1)
1
as in rain
a heavy fall of objects a hail of small stones warned them of the oncoming avalanche Synonyms & Similar Words
- rain
- barrage
- storm
- shower
- flood
- volley
- torrent
- bombardment
- fusillade
- gush
- cannonade
- rush
- salvo
- broadside
- eruption
- spate
- outbreak
- outburst
2
as in barrage
a rapid or overwhelming outpouring of many things at once even under the hail of angry questions, the press secretary stayed cool Synonyms & Similar Words
- barrage
- flurry
- volley
- bombardment
- flood
- fusillade
- torrent
- shower
- cannonade
- storm
- salvo
- tide
- blitzkrieg
- drumbeat
- blitz
- drumfire
- avalanche
- rash
- surge
- burst
- deluge
- stream
- inundation
- gush
- earful
- outpouring
- spate
- outflow
- river
- cataract
- overflow
- broadside
- outburst
- current
- flood tide
- surplus
- discharge
- cataclysm
- excess
- flush
- glut
- engulfment
- surfeit
- overabundance
- overkill
- superabundance
- oversupply
- superfluity
- overage
- overmuch
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- trickle
- drip
- dribble
hail
3 of 3noun (2)
as in sound
range of hearing stay within hail of the restaurant's front desk so you'll know when your table is ready Synonyms & Similar Words
- sound
- hearing
- distance
- earshot
- sight
- volume