What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
salutation
Example
Please include a salutation at the beginning of your email. [salutation: noun]
Example
The speaker began her presentation with a warm salutation to the audience. [salutation: noun]
greeting
Example
She greeted her friend with a hug and a smile. [greeted: verb]
Example
The host extended a warm greeting to all the guests as they arrived. [greeting: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Greeting is more commonly used than salutation in everyday language. Greeting is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while salutation is less common and more specific to formal written communication.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between salutation and greeting?
Salutation is typically associated with a formal and respectful tone, while greeting can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be more versatile in terms of formality level.