greet

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈgrēt 

greeted; greeting; greets

transitive verb

1

: to address with expression of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival

greeted guests at the door

2

a

: to meet or react to in a specified manner

greeted him with boos

b

: to occur as a response to

apathy greeted the plan

3

: to appear to the perception of

a surprising sight greeted her eyes

greeter noun

greet

2 of 2

verb (2)

grat ˈgrat  ; grutten ˈgrə-tᵊn 

intransitive verb

Scotland

: weep, lament

Examples of greet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Votive candles, including some featuring Francis’ photo, surrounded the statue of St. John Paul II that greets visitors at the hospital entrance. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

High ceilings, dazzling lights and hanging plants greet customers as they are whisked to their seats inside the West African restaurant. —USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Hertz opened the gate and greeted me warmly, clad in Blundstones and black wind-resistant gear. —Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025

Commissioners and a couple of homeowners in the audience greeted the project with skepticism, wary of its potential impacts on the area’s traffic and infrastructure. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English greten, from Old English grētan; akin to Old English grǣtan to weep

Verb (2)

Middle English greten, from Old English grǣtan; akin to Old Norse grāta to weep

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing greet

• meet and greet

Kids Definition

greet

verb

ˈgrēt

1

: to address upon arrival or meeting with expressions of kind wishes

greeted guests at the door

2

: to meet or react to in a specified manner

greeted with cheers

3

: to appear or present itself to

a surprising sight greeted her eyes

greeter noun