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A salutation is a word, phrase, or gesture used as a greeting.

Most commonly, salutation refers to the introductory greeting in a letter or email (such as Dear Professor Smith), or the way you greet a person when you see them in real life (such as saying hello and shaking their hand). Salutations can be formal or informal. Less commonly, salutation refers to the action of saluting.

Example: To avoid spreading germs, many people are abandoning the traditional handshake in favor of salutations that don’t involve touching.

The word salutation derives from the Latin verb ������ū�������, which means “to greet” and is also the basis for the word salute. The first records of salutation in English come from the late 1300s.

The salutation of a letter or email is the part where you address the person you’re writing to. Most commonly, this is done with the word Dear followed by the person’s name or title and a comma or a colon—as in Dear Jane, or Dear Dr. Jones:—but the possibilities are endless. Some are very informal (Hi,), while others are very formal (Esteemed colleagues,). (The part of a letter before you sign your name, such as by saying Sincerely, is called the complimentary close.)

In-person salutations are often intended to show a person respect or friendliness or to welcome them. Such salutations exist in great varieties, and often vary from culture to culture. The handshake is popular, but in some places it is more common to bow. Many Muslims greet people with the word salaam, meaning “peace,” or the phrase Assalamu alaikum, meaning “peace be to you.” This is sometimes done along with a gesture consisting of a slight bow and the placing of the right palm on the forehead. Hindus often greet people by saying the word namaste (meaning “a bow to you”) and pressing their palms together vertically in front of their body.

Salutations vary by religion and culture, but they can also vary from friend to friend. Some friends might have a very special way of greeting each other, such as a secret handshake.

What are some other forms related to salutation?

• salutational (adjective)
• salutationless (adjective)
• nonsalutation (noun)

What are some synonyms for salutation?

• greeting
• address
• salute

What are some words that share a root or word element with salutation?

• salutatory
• salubrious

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What are some words that often get used in discussing salutation?

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• greet
• hello
• gesture
• handshake
• welcome
• bow
• hug

People use salutations all the time. Some are more appropriate in certain situations than others.

Email salutation that triggers instant deletion:
“What’s up, Chief!”

— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer)

Someone named "Bud" emailed me, thus making my standard salutation "Hey bud," make sense for once

— Olga Khazan (@olgakhazan)

I’m gonna use the Vulcan 🖖🏾 salutation for the next few weeks. I can finally do it and people won’t think I’m crazy

— Emma Jane Quinlan (@EmmaQuinlan)

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Which of the following salutations would be the most appropriate when sending an email to the president of a university?

A. Hi Mrs. Jones,
B. Howdy President!
C. Greetings:
D. Dear President Jones,