Hi
/haɪ/noun
A casual greeting used to acknowledge someone.
Did you know?The word 'hi' may have originated from the Old English 'hē' which was used to attract attention, linking it to early calls of summoning spirits.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*haiwaz
“a call or shout to attract attention”
Old English
OE
hē
“an exclamation used to draw attention”
Middle English
ME
hi
“an informal greeting or exclamation”
Modern English
English
hi
“a common informal greeting used in conversation”