Hey Meaning

UK /heɪ/
US /heɪ/
Word Definition
hey meaning

Hey Definition & Usage

interjection

A casual or informal greeting used to call attention, acknowledge someone, or express surprise.

Examples

  • "Hey, how are you doing?"
  • "Hey! Can you hear me?"
  • "Hey, that's a great idea!"
  • "Hey, over here!"
  • "Hey, I didn't expect to see you today!"
interjection

A call or shout used to get someone's attention, often in situations where a person is far away or distracted.

Examples

  • "Hey, John, wait for me!"
  • "Hey! Are you coming or not?"
  • "Hey, can you pass me that book?"
  • "Hey! I think you dropped something."
  • "Hey! There's something behind you!"

Cultural Context

The word 'hey' originates from Middle English, where it was used as a call to attract attention, similar to the Old Norse 'hei'. It has evolved into a common greeting and is used across various cultures in informal contexts. 'Hey' has also gained prominence in pop culture, especially in music and social media, where it is used to create a sense of casualness and friendliness.

The Unexpected Encounter

Story

The Unexpected Encounter

It was a warm Saturday afternoon when Sarah decided to take a walk through the park. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting soft shadows on the grass. As she walked, she hummed a tune, lost in thought, when she suddenly heard a voice call out, 'Hey!' Startled, she turned to see her old friend Mark, waving excitedly from across the park. It had been years since they last met, and the sight of him immediately lifted her spirits. 'Hey, it's been so long!' she exclaimed, rushing over to him. Mark grinned and shrugged. 'Yeah, I’ve been busy, but I saw you from over there and thought I’d say hey.' They both laughed, reminiscing about old times as they sat on the nearby bench. 'Hey, I didn’t know you still lived around here,' Sarah said, smiling. 'I just moved back. It’s good to see a familiar face,' Mark replied. As they chatted, they realized how easy it was to reconnect, all because of a simple 'Hey.' The word, light and casual, had bridged the gap of time, bringing them back together in an instant.

The Unexpected Encounter