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salutation

salutation

5 4.4
A polite greeting given when people arrive or leave
  • noun
  • /ˌsæl.jʊˈteɪ.ʃən/
  • Formal
: saludo
  • Greetings and salutations to any and all servicemen in the area and thanks so much for joining us.
  • salutations and greetings
  • returned their salutation

No eye contact, no proper salutation.

Examples

  • Part of the code is that of salutation (greetings) for every conceivable occasion and situation.

    Academic text (2011)
  • There's to be a meeting at Bunny's next week, which of course I will attend and give your salutations to all.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • There was hardly ever a salutation coming or going, a civil exchange.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • When he stood to make a final salutation, the dancing men stopped to listen.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • A moment before he reached the door, he would shout after him, "good night," a salutation to which the friend never responded.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • "Am I glad to see you!" "Hey, man," said Vampire, lifting a hand in salutation but not looking away from his monitor.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • But no one came to let me in, and my verbal salutations went unanswered.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Reggie, in flight gear, stepped out to receive one of the crowd's noisy salutations.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Within weeks of his return, his slight, shuffling figure was drawing stares and salutations in theaters and restaurants and the swarm of Fifth Avenue; he was the first public celebrity in a new century destined to be saturated with them.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • As a traditional custom, each guest received a warm salutation upon entering the banquet hall.

Synonyms

goodbye
vssalutation
∞ 1.0

Words people say when they leave each other

includes both arrival and departure acknowledgments and is often more formal
greeting
vssalutation
283 1.0

A friendly word or action you use when you meet someone

is a formal gesture or statement used to mark arrival or departure
good evening
vssalutation
165 1.0

A polite greeting or farewell used in the evening

is not time-specific and covers formal arrival or departure acknowledgement in general
welcome
vssalutation
81 1.0

A friendly greeting or being gladly received by others

focuses more on a formal gesture or statement rather than reception style
hail
vssalutation
  • Archaic
71 6.3

An enthusiastic welcome from a crowd

is more neutral and often used as a formal arrival or departure mark
warm welcome
vssalutation
31 1.0

A friendly greeting that makes someone feel pleased and at ease

is broader and includes formal spoken or gestured acknowledgments as well
salaam
vssalutation
21 9.9

A low bow that shows respect used as a greeting in Muslim cultures

is a general formal gesture or statement not limited to one culture
valediction
vssalutation
  • Formal
1 9.6

A formal speech or words that say goodbye, often at a ceremony

is broader, applying to formal arrival or departure gestures or statements
friendly hello
vssalutation
1 1.0

A warm greeting that makes someone feel welcome

is typically more formal and can be a gesture as well as words
salutatory
vssalutation
  • Formal
9.9

A short speech that welcomes people at a graduation ceremony

is the general formal gesture or statement beyond specific ceremonial openings
salutatory address
vssalutation
  • Formal
8.8

A welcoming speech that a student representative gives at the start of a graduation

is a general formal acknowledgment used in many arrival or departure situations
military greeting
vssalutation
5.0

A formal gesture by soldiers that shows respect, like a salute

is broader and applies to formal gestures or statements outside military use
namaste
vssalutation
7.3

A respectful hello or goodbye said with a slight bow and hands pressed together

covers formal gestures or statements in many social settings rather than one tradition
cheers
vssalutation
  • UK
6.7

A friendly informal word used to thank someone, say goodbye, and to make a toast before drinking

is generally more formal and used to acknowledge arrival or departure politely

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Words people say when they leave each other

199 1.9

A speech or action that says goodbye and wishes someone well

How Formal

salutation
  • Formal
5 4.4
good morning
480 1.0
to hello
1 1.0
hi
  • Informal
∞ 1.0
hey
  • Informal
∞ 3.6

Surface Forms

salutation singular
salutations plural

Morphology

salutation = salute (transparent) = salute + ation

A regular noun formed from 'salute' with the productive suffix '-ation', meaning 'the act of saluting' which is directly inferable.

Etymology

Salutation comes from the Latin salutare, from salus which means 'health' or 'well-being'. Think of the simple word salute — a short sign of greeting or respect; a salutation is a greeting that gives good wishes and shows you care.