Greet vs Wave

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

 GreetWave
MeaningTo say hello to someone.To move your hand back and forth to greet someone or say goodbye.
CEFR levelA2A2
Part of speechverbnoun
Usage notesUse 'greet' when meeting someone or acknowledging their presence. More formal than 'say hi' but appropriate for most situations. Avoid using it in very casual contexts with friends.Used in both formal and informal contexts to greet or acknowledge someone. Avoid when expressing strong emotions, like anger; that context might use 'waving your arms' in a different sense.

Frequently asked questions: Greet vs Wave

What's the difference between "Greet" and "Wave"?

"Greet" means: To say hello to someone. "Wave" means: To move your hand back and forth to greet someone or say goodbye.

When should I use "Greet" and "Wave"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Greet" and "Wave" the same CEFR level?

"Greet" is at A2, "Wave" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.

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