hail

8 synonyms and 1 antonym for hail, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Small, hard balls of ice that fall from the sky during a storm.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

welcome come

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

greet salute barrage herald

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

acclaim flag down

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Small, hard balls of ice that fall from the sky during a storm.

“The hail came down so hard that we could not hear the radio.”

greet salute acclaim welcome flag down barrage

2. verb

To greet someone or call out to get their attention, often to praise or welcome them.

“The crowd hailed the returning team with cheers and waving flags.”

acclaim herald come

Opposites

boo

How to use hail

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

hail a taxi a hail of bullets hail from somewhere hail as a hero

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.

Full origin of 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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come welcome herald boo greet salute barrage acclaim

Nearby words

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