WordGarden.iohullo
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /həˈləʊ/New-Zealandalt-ofalternativeinterjection
US
Meanings
Interjection
used as a greeting, call, or expression of surprise
Beyond the definition
"Hullo!" is a variant of "hello" that feels a little old-fashioned and often a little British. It is used to greet someone, to answer the phone, or to react with mild surprise, as in "Hullo, what's this?" The word has a friendly, story-like feel and can sound warm, playful, or slightly quirky. It is not common in formal modern speech, but it is still easy to recognize and understand.
It grew out of older calling words such as "hollo" and "hallo," which people used to attract attention or call out to someone. Over time, "hullo" became one of several forms that sat alongside "hello," especially in older writing and speech.
"Hullo" is a traditional and charmingly old-fashioned alternative to the standard "hello." While it may feel a bit dated in a modern business meeting, it carries a clear sense of warmth and informality. It is often linked with British English and can bring to mind a character from an older novel or film answering the phone with a calm "Hullo!" instead of a more modern "Hello."
Beyond a simple greeting, "hullo" is also used as an exclamation of surprise, interest, or sudden notice. If someone finds a misplaced set of keys or spots something unusual, they might say, "Hullo, what have we here?" That use gives the word a wider role than a basic greeting.
The word's roots lie in older forms such as "hollo" and "hallo," interjections used for calling out, attracting attention, or raising an alarm. Over time, "hullo" developed as one of the familiar greeting forms in English, standing beside "hello" rather than fully replacing it. It also appeared in older telephone use, which helped keep it recognizable.
While largely overshadowed by "hello" in everyday global use, "hullo" still appears in literature, film, and some varieties of British speech to create a sense of nostalgia, character, or gentle surprise. A writer might choose it for a friendly neighbor, an older relative, or an eccentric professor. Its history shows how a simple call for attention gradually became a greeting and an exclamation, leaving behind a word that still sounds lively and full of personality.
Examples
- 1
British greeting
"Hullo, Mrs. Grant," called the postman from the gate.
- Usage
More common in British English, and it can sound a little old-fashioned.
- 2
Phone greeting
She answered the phone with a cautious, "Hullo?"
- 3
Mild surprise
Hullo, what's all this mess on the kitchen floor?
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hullonoun