A greeting is what you say or do when you meet someone or want to acknowledge their presence. “Hello,” “hi,” “good morning,” and “hey” are all common greetings. A wave, a handshake, or a smile can also serve as a greeting without words.

Different situations call for different greetings. You might say “hey” to a friend at recess but “good afternoon, Mrs. Johnson” when you see your teacher in the hallway. In many cultures, people have special greetings: in Japan, people bow; in France, friends might kiss each other's cheeks; in New Zealand, the Māori people sometimes press their noses and foreheads together in a greeting called a hongi.

The way you greet someone matters because it sets the tone for your interaction. A warm, friendly greeting can make someone's day better, while ignoring someone or giving a cold greeting can hurt their feelings. When you write a letter or email, you usually start with a greeting like “Dear Grandma” or “Hi Alex” before getting to your main message.

People also use greeting cards to celebrate occasions like birthdays, holidays, or to say thank you, and each one usually begins with a friendly greeting message.