Salutation (greeting)

Salutation (greeting)

A salutation is a greeting, in particular a formal greeting used in a letter. Salutations usually take the form " X", or sometimes simply "X", usually followed by a comma or a colon.

American English

According to Wilbers [cite web|accessdate=2006-01-24|url=http://www.wilbers.com/FAQSalutations.htm|title= Frequently asked questions concerning salutations|work="Writing for business and pleasure"|author=Stephen Wilbers] :
* Salutations in formal letters end with a colon; salutations in informal letters end in a comma.
* Professional titles ("Professor", "Doctor") are preferred over social titles ("Mister", "Miss").
* Dignitaries are addressed by their titles. (e.g. "Dear Lord Mayor:")

When the recipient of the letter is unknown—for example, in a letter of recommendation, or when writing to a company—the salutations "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern" are used.

For each style of salutation there is an accompanying style of valediction.

British English

People may greet each other with "Hello" or "Hi" or "awrite?", a contraction of "all right?". In letter format, the term "Dear" is used. My Dearest can also be used when writing to someone you are fond of.

References

Further reading

*
*

See also

*Salute
*Valediction


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Salutation — Sal u*ta tion, n. [L. salutatio: cf. F. salutation. See {Salute}.] The act of saluting, or paying respect or reverence, by the customary words or actions; the act of greeting, or expressing good will or courtesy; also, that which is uttered or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Salutation — may refer to:*Salutation (greeting), a form of greeting *Salutation (computing), a technique for identifying resources …   Wikipedia

  • salutation — *greeting, salute …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Greeting — (also called accosting) is a way for human beings (as well as other members of the animal kingdom) to intentionally communicate awareness of each other s presence, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship or social status… …   Wikipedia

  • greeting — greeting, salutation, salute denote the ceremonial words or acts of one who meets, welcomes, or formally addresses another. Greeting is the ordinary term which carries no suggestion of formality and no implication of inferiority in the one who… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Greeting — Greet ing, n. Expression of kindness or joy; salutation at meeting; a compliment from one absent. [1913 Webster] Write to him . . . gentle adieus and greetings. Shak. Syn: Salutation; salute; compliment. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • salutation — [sal΄yoo tā′shən] n. [ME salutacion < MFr < L salutatio < salutatus, pp. of salutare: see SALUTE] 1. the act of greeting, addressing, or welcoming by gestures or words 2. a form of words serving as a greeting or, esp., as the opening of… …   English World dictionary

  • salutation — late 14c., from O.Fr. salutacion, from L. salutationem (nom. salutatio), from salutatus, pp. of salutare to greet (see SALUTE (Cf. salute)). As a word of greeting (eliptical for I offer salutation ) it is recorded from 1530s. Related: Salutations …   Etymology dictionary

  • greeting — O.E. greting “salutation,” from gretan (see GREET (Cf. greet)). Related: Greetings. First record of greeting card is from 1876 …   Etymology dictionary

  • salutation — ► NOUN ▪ a greeting. DERIVATIVES salutational adjective salutatory adjective …   English terms dictionary

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