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

Then, two years after arriving, a man greeted her at a party. —Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025

These 19 restaurants opened around the Sacramento region in January 2025, greeting the new year with new customers. —Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025

Flower deliveries arrived at the reception desk, while visitors were greeted with long and tearful hugs. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2025

Once they are collectively greeted at the airport by Jorg (Peter Diseth), Moretti’s personal majordomo, the group is whisked away to the singer’s massive middle-of-nowhere estate. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 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