noun
1 first words you say when you meet sb
ADJECTIVE
▪ formal , friendly , polite
▪ traditional
▪
The traditional Muslim ~ is ‘Salaam’.
VERB + GREETING
▪ call , call out , nod , shout , smile , wave
▪
He jumped to his feet and called out a ~.
▪
They said nothing, but nodded a polite ~.
▪ exchange
▪
The delegates shook hands and exchanged ~s.
▪ give (sb) , offer (sb)
▪
He offered me a warm ~ and invited me in.
▪ acknowledge , respond to , return
▪
I said ‘Good morning!’, but she didn't return the ~.
▪ ignore
PREPOSITION
▪ in ~
▪
He held out his hand in ~.
2 greetings good wishes
ADJECTIVE
▪ personal , warm
▪ birthday , Christmas , festive ( esp. BrE ), holiday ( AmE ), New Year , seasonal
VERB + GREETINGS
▪ bring , extend , send (sb)
▪
He brought Christmas ~s from the whole family.
▪
We extend our ~s to you and thank you for listening to us.
GREETINGS/GREETING + NOUN
▪ ~ card ( AmE ), ~s card ( BrE )
▪
Millions of ~s/~ cards are sent at Christmas.