salute
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for salute, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A formal gesture of greeting or respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use salute
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin salutare, "to wish well" or "to greet," from salus, "health, safety" — the same root as "salutation" and the toast "salud."
Full origin of salute →Frequently asked questions
What does “salute” mean?
The word “salute” means a formal gesture of greeting or respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead. In plain terms, a formal greeting gesture, or to honour someone with one — also used more loosely to mean "praise" or "acknowledge.".
How do you pronounce “salute”?
“Salute” is pronounced suh-LOOT (/səˈlut/ in IPA).
How do you use “salute” in a sentence?
Here is “salute” used in a sentence: “The soldiers gave a crisp salute as the general walked past.”
What part of speech is “salute”?
Depending on how it is used, “salute” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “salute” come from?
The word “salute” comes from Latin. From Latin salutare, "to wish well" or "to greet," from salus, "health, safety" — the same root as "salutation" and the toast "salud.".
Is “salute” a common word?
“Salute” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “salute” have?
“Salute” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal gesture of greeting or respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead.
What is the difference between a "salute" and a "greeting"?
A salute is a specific formal gesture of respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead, typically used in military or ceremonial settings. A greeting is broader and can include casual words or gestures like waving or saying hello, without the formality a salute implies.
Is "salute" only used for military gestures?
While "salute" is strongly associated with the military hand gesture, it can also describe honouring someone with formal words or actions in non-military contexts, such as saluting a colleague's achievement in a speech. The core sense always involves showing respect through a formal act.
Can "salute" be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, "salute" works as a noun for the gesture itself, as in "he gave a crisp salute," and as a verb for the act of performing it, as in "the soldiers saluted their commander." Both forms centre on the same idea of a formal display of respect.