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Definition of hey

hey

/ˈheɪ/
hey
Plural:heys
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hey Lexical Profile

hey Game Scores & Validity

• interjection

1

Used as an informal greeting or to attract someone's attention.

Example

"Hey, it is great to see you back in town!"

2

Used to express surprise, interest, protest, or sudden realization.

Example

"Hey, that is my umbrella you are taking!"

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

An informal utterance or shout of 'hey' used as a casual greeting or to gain attention.

Example

"She gave a quick hey to her neighbor as she walked to the mailbox."

2

A lively traditional English country dance characterized by a winding or interlacing figure in which dancers weave in and out.

Example

"The village festival featured traditional music and performers dancing the hey on the green."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hey
Antonyms
View all antonyms for hey

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'hey' (an informal greeting or attention-getter) with its homophone 'hay' (dried grass used as animal fodder).

• Rhymes for hey

• Nearby Words

hex key
hexagon
hexagonal
hey
heyday
hi
hiatus

Word Origin & Etymology

Attested in Middle English around the 13th century as a natural, imitative vocalization used to attract attention or express emotion, having parallel formations across Germanic and Romance languages.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hey. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hey
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