Salutation

/ˌsæljuˈteɪʃn/

noun

A formal or polite expression of greeting or goodwill.

John started the letter with the salutation 'Dear Friend'.

noun

The act of paying respect or homage to someone or something.

The priest raised his hands in salutation to the holy deity.

Usage tips

Formal

Ceremonial

noun

A standardized phrase used at the beginning or end of a letter or speech.

The typical salutation for an informal letter is 'Dear' followed by the recipient's first name.

Often appears as...

begin with a salutation
end with a salutation

Usage tips

Academic

noun

A formal or polite expression of greeting or goodwill.

John started the letter with the salutation 'Dear Friend'.

noun

The act of paying respect or homage to someone or something.

The priest raised his hands in salutation to the holy deity.

Usage tips

Formal

Ceremonial

noun

A standardized phrase used at the beginning or end of a letter or speech.

The typical salutation for an informal letter is 'Dear' followed by the recipient's first name.

Often appears as...

begin with a salutation
end with a salutation

Usage tips

Academic

Definition 1 of 3

Pro Tip 1/3

Politeness Varies

The level of politeness in a salutation can vary based on the relationship and situation.

In a business email, 'Dear Sir or Madam' is a polite salutation.

Pro Tip 2/3

Cultural Sensitivity

Different cultures have unique salutations; it's important to be aware to avoid misunderstandings.

In Japan, a bow can be a respectful salutation.

Pro Tip 3/3

Non-verbal Greetings

Salutations aren't always spoken; nods and handshakes are non-verbal examples.

He gave a nod as a silent salutation when he entered the room.

Pro Tip 1/3

Politeness Varies

The level of politeness in a salutation can vary based on the relationship and situation.

In a business email, 'Dear Sir or Madam' is a polite salutation.

Pro Tip 2/3

Cultural Sensitivity

Different cultures have unique salutations; it's important to be aware to avoid misunderstandings.

In Japan, a bow can be a respectful salutation.

Pro Tip 3/3

Non-verbal Greetings

Salutations aren't always spoken; nods and handshakes are non-verbal examples.

He gave a nod as a silent salutation when he entered the room.

Pro Tip 1/3

Politeness Varies

The level of politeness in a salutation can vary based on the relationship and situation.

In a business email, 'Dear Sir or Madam' is a polite salutation.

Pro Tip 2/3

Cultural Sensitivity

Different cultures have unique salutations; it's important to be aware to avoid misunderstandings.

In Japan, a bow can be a respectful salutation.

Pro Tip 3/3

Non-verbal Greetings

Salutations aren't always spoken; nods and handshakes are non-verbal examples.

He gave a nod as a silent salutation when he entered the room.

Compare with

acknowledgeaddressbowgreethailhellosalaamwelcome

Look up Compare with

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Video examples

A Saudi, an Indian and...

on an airplane in the US, right? I'm not supposed to be walking down the aisle, and be like, "Hi, Jack." That's not cool. Even if I'm there with my friend named Jack, I say, "Greetings, Jack. Salutations, Jack." Never "Hi, Jack."

Video examples

A Saudi, an Indian and...

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Maz Jobrani

American Comedian

As a Middle Eastern male, I know there's certain things I'm not supposed to say on an airplane in the U.S., right? I'm not supposed to be walking down the aisle, and be like, 'Hi, Jack.' That's not cool. Even if I'm there with my friend named Jack, I say, 'Greetings, Jack. Salutations, Jack.' Never 'Hi, Jack.

Quote examples

Zbigniew Brzezinski

American Politician

I have been struck by the pervasive frequency of pompously patriotic ads for the defense industry, usually accompanied by deferential salutations to our men and women who are heroically sacrificing their lives in our defense. Do we really need all of that for our security?

Quote examples

Buddha

Leader

What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What's the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood?

Quote examples

George Santayana

Spanish Philosopher

Knowledge is not eating, and we cannot expect to devour and possess what we mean. Knowledge is recognition of something absent; it is a salutation, not an embrace.

Quote examples

Mandy Ingber

American Actress

You can totally have a great little yoga routine in 20 minutes: 10 sun salutations and five or six standing poses and five minutes of stretching.

Quote examples

Judith Martin

American Author

Email is very informal, a memo. But I find that not signing off or not having a salutation bothers me.

Quote examples

Thandie Newton

British Actress

I'd love to do yoga every day. I don't usually have time, but a few sun salutations go a long way.

Quote examples

George Santayana

Spanish Philosopher

Knowledge is recognition of something absent; it is a salutation, not an embrace.

Quote examples

Marc Jacobs

American Designer

I'm not a yogi, but I know the sun salutation.

Quote examples

Maz Jobrani

American Comedian

As a Middle Eastern male, I know there's certain things I'm not supposed to say on an airplane in the U.S., right? I'm not supposed to be walking down the aisle, and be like, 'Hi, Jack.' That's not cool. Even if I'm there with my friend named Jack, I say, 'Greetings, Jack. Salutations, Jack.' Never 'Hi, Jack.

Quote examples

Zbigniew Brzezinski

American Politician

I have been struck by the pervasive frequency of pompously patriotic ads for the defense industry, usually accompanied by deferential salutations to our men and women who are heroically sacrificing their lives in our defense. Do we really need all of that for our security?

Quote examples

Buddha

Leader

What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What's the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood?

Quote examples

George Santayana

Spanish Philosopher

Knowledge is not eating, and we cannot expect to devour and possess what we mean. Knowledge is recognition of something absent; it is a salutation, not an embrace.

Quote examples

Mandy Ingber

American Actress

You can totally have a great little yoga routine in 20 minutes: 10 sun salutations and five or six standing poses and five minutes of stretching.

Quote examples

Judith Martin

American Author

Email is very informal, a memo. But I find that not signing off or not having a salutation bothers me.

Quote examples

Thandie Newton

British Actress

I'd love to do yoga every day. I don't usually have time, but a few sun salutations go a long way.

Quote examples

George Santayana

Spanish Philosopher

Knowledge is recognition of something absent; it is a salutation, not an embrace.

Quote examples

Marc Jacobs

American Designer

I'm not a yogi, but I know the sun salutation.

Example 1 of 9

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