Hellow vs. Hello — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
"Hellow" is a common misspelling, whereas "Hello" is the correct spelling, commonly used as a greeting or expression of recognition.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Hellow or Hello
How to spell Hello?
Hellow
Incorrect Spelling
Hello
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
You might associate "Hello" with popular references, like the song "Hello" by Adele, ensuring the accurate spelling is memorable.
Another trick is to use mnemonics, creating a sentence with words starting similarly, e.g., "Happy elephants love leaping over."
Visualize a postcard from a picturesque place that starts with "Hello" to retain the correct spelling in your memory.
To differentiate and remember "Hello" as the correct spelling, recall other words that begin with "he," such as "here," "heat," and "help."
How Do You Spell Hello Correctly?
Incorrect: He awkwardly said "Hellow" on his first day.
Correct: He awkwardly said "Hello" on his first day.
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Incorrect: She received a text that read "Hellow! How are you?"
Correct: She received a text that read "Hello! How are you?"
Incorrect: The sign read "Hellow and Welcome!"
Correct: The sign read "Hello and Welcome!"
Incorrect: She waved and shouted "Hellow!" across the crowded room.
Correct: She waved and shouted "Hello!" across the crowded room.
Incorrect: The email started with "Hellow everyone,"
Correct: The email started with "Hello everyone,"
Hello Definitions
A common greeting.
“Hello! How are you?”
Expression to attract attention.
“Hello! Can you help me?”
Used to answer the telephone.
“Hello, this is John speaking.”
A casual acknowledgment.
Hello, I didn’t see you there.
Hello is a salutation or greeting in the English language. It is first attested in writing from 1826.
Used to greet someone, answer the telephone, or express surprise.
A calling or greeting of "hello."
To call "hello."
A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence.
Hello, everyone.
A greeting used when answering the telephone.
Hello? How may I help you?
A call for response if it is not clear if anyone is present or listening, or if a telephone conversation may have been disconnected.
Hello? Is anyone there?
(colloquial) Used sarcastically to imply that the person addressed has done something the speaker considers to be foolish, or missed something that should have been obvious.
You just tried to start your car with your cell phone. Hello?
An expression of puzzlement or discovery.
Hello! What’s going on here?
"Hello!" or an equivalent greeting.
(transitive) To greet with "hello".
An exclamation used as a greeting, to call attention, as an exclamation of surprise, or to encourage one. This variant of Halloo and Holloo has become the dominant form. In the United States, it is the most common greeting used in answering a telephone.
An expression of greeting;
Every morning they exchanged polite hellos
A call to gain attention.
Hello! Over here!
Hello Meaning in a Sentence
He answered the phone with a cheerful "Hello!"
They all shouted hello when they saw me.
Hello, my name is Sarah.
Hello, did you have a good weekend?
She began the letter with "Hello, dear friend,"
Hello, what's your favorite color?
Hello, can I help you with something?
The children were taught to say hello politely.
She knocked on the door and said hello.
Hello, would you like to play outside?
She recorded her voicemail greeting with a friendly hello.
Every morning, he greets me with a bright hello.
Hello, may I speak to Mr. Smith?
He waved and shouted hello from across the street.
Hello, it's nice to meet you.
He practiced saying hello in different languages.
The book starts with a simple "Hello, world!"
Hello, do you need any assistance?
She entered the room and everyone said hello.
Hello, how was your trip?
Hello, I saw your ad online.
She heard a soft hello from behind.
Hello, can you tell me the time?
The meeting began with hellos and handshakes.
Hello Idioms & Phrases
Say hello to
Used to introduce or greet someone or something. Also, can mean to welcome or embrace something new.
Say hello to your new teammate.
Just to say hello
Making contact or visiting someone for a short time, without any specific reason other than to greet them.
I stopped by just to say hello.
Hello again
A greeting used when you see someone you've already met or known for the second time or after a long time.
Hello again! It's been a while since our last meeting.
Hello there
A friendly, slightly informal greeting, often when surprised or happy to see someone.
Hello there! I didn't see you come in.
Hello on the other side
Referring to making contact with someone who is far away or in a different situation.
After months of silence, he finally got a hello from the other side.
Hello and goodbye
A situation where someone or something appears and disappears very quickly.
She was only in town for a day; it was hello and goodbye.
A hello hug
A hug given when greeting someone.
She gave her friend a warm hello hug after not seeing her for months.
Give someone a big hello
To greet someone enthusiastically or warmly.
Give your grandmother a big hello from me.
A hello is a gateway to a new relationship
The idea that greeting someone can be the beginning of a new friendship or connection.
Don't be shy; a simple hello is a gateway to a new relationship.
To not get past hello
Failing to develop a deeper connection or conversation beyond initial greetings.
They met at the party but didn't get past hello.
Wave hello
To greet someone by waving one's hand.
She waved hello to her neighbor every morning.
A picture says a thousand words, but a hello says more
Highlighting the value and warmth of personal greetings.
Even a simple hello can brighten someone's day more than a thousand words in a picture.
Hello, stranger
A greeting for someone you haven't seen in a long time.
Hello, stranger! Where have you been hiding?
The power of hello
The idea that a simple greeting can have a significant positive impact on interpersonal interactions.
Never underestimate the power of hello; it can make someone's day.
Hello from the outside
Trying to make contact or communicate from a different or external position.
After moving away, she would often send hellos from the outside through her letters.
Shout hello
To greet someone loudly or from a distance.
He shouted hello from across the field.
Make it a point to say hello
To intentionally make an effort to greet someone.
He makes it a point to say hello to his colleagues every morning.
Hello, goodbye, and everything in between
Refers to the entire range of interactions, from first meetings to farewells.
Their summer romance was a whirlwind of hello, goodbye, and everything in between.
Common Curiosities
Which vowel is used before Hello?
“O” as in "Oh hello!"
What is the verb form of Hello?
Hello is not conventionally used as a verb and doesn’t have different forms.
Why is it called Hello?
"Hello" originated from the Middle English "holla" or "hollo" to attract attention or hail a ferryman.
What is the plural form of Hello?
Hellos.
Which preposition is used with Hello?
"From" as in "hello from the other side."
What is the singular form of Hello?
Hello.
Is Hello an abstract noun?
No, it is a concrete noun.
What is the pronunciation of Hello?
It is pronounced as /həˈloʊ/.
Which conjunction is used with Hello?
Varies; "and" can be used, "hello and welcome."
What is the root word of Hello?
The root is believed to be the Middle English “holla” or "hollo".
Is Hello a noun or adjective?
Hello is a noun and can be an interjection.
Is Hello a vowel or consonant?
Hello is a word, not a letter.
Which article is used with Hello?
Typically, “a” as in "a loud hello."
Is Hello an adverb?
No, Hello is not an adverb.
Is Hello a countable noun?
Yes, "hellos" is countable.
Is the word Hello is imperative?
No, though it can be used to command attention.
What is the opposite of Hello?
Goodbye or farewell.
Is Hello a negative or positive word?
Typically positive or neutral.
Is the Hello term a metaphor?
Not inherently, though it can be used metaphorically.
How do we divide Hello into syllables?
Hel-lo.
What part of speech is Hello?
Noun and interjection.
Is the word “Hello” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Neither; hello is usually a noun or interjection.
What is a stressed syllable in Hello?
The second syllable: hel-LO.
How is Hello used in a sentence?
"When she entered the room, she greeted everyone with a warm hello."
Is Hello a collective noun?
No, Hello is not a collective noun.
Is the word Hello is Gerund?
No, as it's not typically used as a verb.
Which determiner is used with Hello?
Can be any, e.g., "a hello."
How many syllables are in Hello?
Two syllables.
What is another term for Hello?
Hi.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.