salutation
Letter's opening address
A salutation is a greeting—words or gestures used to acknowledge someone's presence or open communication.
In letters and emails, the salutation is the opening line: Dear Ms. Chen, To Whom It May Concern, Hey.
The word covers everything from formal address to casual what's up.
Common spoken greeting
- hiInformal spoken salutation
- heyInformal greeting or summons
- howdyInformal rural greeting
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
greetings · goodbye · farewell · aloha · namaste · shalom · hola · bonjour
Informal spoken welcome
- hey thereCasual spoken greeting
- what's upCasual inquiry greeting
- yoCasual interjection for attention
- supInformal hello query
howdy · hiya · heya · how's it going · how are you · what's happening · what's new · long time no see
Epistolary salutation
- to whom it may concernFormal greeting, unknown addressee
- esteemedGreatly respected, admired
- distinguishedNotable and respected
- respectedHeld in high regard
dear madam · ladies and gentlemen · dear colleague · dear reader · cordially · respectfully · sincerely · yours truly
Departing salutation
- farewellLeave-taking expression
- adieuFormal leave-taking
- partingAct of leaving another
- valedictionFormal parting statement
leave-taking · au revoir · bon voyage · sayonara · adios · cheerio · ciao · toodle-oo
High regard, moral dignity
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
accolade · commendation · praise · acknowledgment · dignitary · obeisance · prostration · kowtow
Ceremonial set of actions
- processionFormal moving line
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
commemoration · dedication · convocation · observance · rite · consecration · veneration · pageantry
hello
Common spoken greeting
welcome · greetings · goodbye · farewell · aloha · namaste · shalom · hola · bonjour · konnichiwa
hi there
Informal spoken welcome
sup · howdy · hiya · heya · how's it going · how are you · what's happening · what's new · long time no see · how do you do
dear sir
Epistolary salutation
- to whom it may concernFormal greeting, unknown addressee
- esteemedGreatly respected, admired
- distinguishedNotable and respected
respected · dear madam · ladies and gentlemen · dear colleague · dear reader · cordially · respectfully · sincerely · yours truly · kind regards
goodbye
Departing salutation
valediction · leave-taking · au revoir · bon voyage · sayonara · adios · cheerio · ciao · toodle-oo · see you later
honor
High regard, moral dignity
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
recognition · accolade · commendation · praise · acknowledgment · dignitary · obeisance · prostration · kowtow · tip of the hat
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- processionFormal moving line
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
ordination · commemoration · dedication · convocation · observance · rite · consecration · veneration · pageantry · homage
sir
Formal male address
lord · lady · your honor · reverend · doctor · professor · sensei · sahib · effendi · don
- invocationssummoning, calling, call, calling upon, conjuration
- Business Etiquettehandshake, business card, greeting, introduction, dress code
- courtesiesplease, thank you, thanks, sorry, excuse me
- emailsreply, forward, CC, BCC, subject line
- greetingshi, hello, hey, hola, aloha
- formalitiesetiquette, decorum, manners, greeting, introduction
salutationfarewell
Leave-taking expression
goodbye · valediction · good-bye · leave-taking · parting words
salutationrebuke
Express sharp disapproval
reprimand · denunciation · censure · condemnation · reproof
- formal salutationsProper greeting phrases
- greetings and salutationsWords upon arrival
- Sun SalutationFlowing yoga pose sequence