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.
hailed
verb
1
as in praised
to declare enthusiastic approval of the museum director hailed the artist's new installation as a groundbreaking work of genius Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- praised
- applauded
- acclaimed
- commended
- lauded
- saluted
- cheered
- touted
- endorsed
- accredited
- clapped
- cracked up
- approved
- celebrated
- recommended
- extolled
- favored
- ballyhooed
- eulogized
- doffed one's cap to
- doffed one's hat to
- emblazoned
- supported
- sang
- bravoed
- sung
- idolized
- adulated
- flattered
- belauded
- clapt
- indorsed
- overpraised
- rose (to)
- magnified
- glorified
- deified
- rooted (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- knocked
- slammed
- panned
- disparaged
- blamed
- criticized
- belittled
- chided
- admonished
- censured
- rebuked
- reproached
- reprimanded
- lambasted
- castigated
- reprobated
- put down
- reprehended
- excoriated
- vilified
- reproved
- discommended
- skewered
- chid
- slagged
- keelhauled
2
as in summoned
to demand or request the presence or service of let's hail a taxi hailed the waiter for the check Synonyms & Similar Words
- summoned
- called
- asked
- invited
- cited
- sent for
- requested
- ordered
- beckoned
- convened
- assembled
- demanded
- invoked
- rang
- bade
- mustered
- convoked
- subpoenaed
- whistled
- called out
- called up
- buzzed
- commanded
- bid
- requisitioned
- knelled
- paged
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dismissed
- sent (away)
- turned away
- banished
- ejected
- routed
- ousted
- kicked out
- expelled
- threw out
- outed
- booted (out)
- drummed (out)
- cast out
- ran off
- turfed (out)