hail
Hail (noun) means Small, hard balls of ice that fall from the sky during a storm. Example: “The hail dented the roof of every car parked outside.”
How to use hail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither icy rain pellets, a fast burst of things coming at you, or a way of calling out to greet someone or say where they're from.
Don't confuse with "hale," which describes someone in good health.
Word forms
hailer comparative, hailed past tense, hailed past tense, hails plural, Hails plural, hails singular, hails singular, hailest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ dented the roof of every car parked outside.
Etymology
From Old English hægl ("hail"), an ancient Germanic word for icy precipitation, related to a very old root meaning "pebble" or "cold." The greeting sense comes from a separate but similarly old use of "hail" as a shout of welcome.
Related words
Rhymes for hail
See all rhymes for hail →Frequently asked questions
What does “hail” mean?
The word “hail” means small, hard balls of ice that fall from the sky during a storm. In plain terms, either icy rain pellets, a fast burst of things coming at you, or a way of calling out to greet someone or say where they're from.
How do you pronounce “hail”?
“Hail” is pronounced hayl (/heɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “hail” in a sentence?
Here is “hail” used in a sentence: “The hail dented the roof of every car parked outside.”
What part of speech is “hail”?
Depending on how it is used, “hail” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hail” come from?
The word “hail” comes from Old English.
Is “hail” a common word?
“Hail” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “hail” have?
“Hail” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: small, hard balls of ice that fall from the sky during a storm.
What is the difference between hail and sleet?
Hail consists of small, hard balls of ice that form in storm clouds and fall during storms, often in warmer weather, while sleet is a mix of rain and partly melted snow or small ice pellets that forms in cold conditions. They develop differently and appear in different weather.
What is the difference between hail and hale?
These are homophones with unrelated meanings: hail refers to falling ice or to greeting and calling out, while hale is an adjective meaning healthy and strong, as in "hale and hearty." They should not be swapped for each other.
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