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Hail - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Hail is frozen precipitation that falls as small balls or lumps of ice during thunderstorms. It can damage crops, vehicles, and property. The word also means to greet or acclaim someone enthusiastically.

hail

/heɪl/ /heɪl/

Definition:

Frozen raindrops falling in showers, or to greet or acclaim enthusiastically.

Synonyms:

acclaim, greet, salute, praise, welcome

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

condemn, ignore

Common Collocations:

hail storm, hail damage, hail the taxi, hail from, hail of bullets

Derivatives:

hailing, hailed

Usage Tips:

Use "hail" as a verb for enthusiastic greeting or as a noun for icy precipitation.

Common Phrases:

hail-fellow-well-met, within hail, hail Mary

Etymology:

Old English "hagol," of Germanic origin; related to Dutch "hagel" and German "Hagel."

Examples:

  • 1. The hail damaged the crops severely.
  • 2. They hailed the hero with cheers and applause.
  • 3. She comes from a small town in the Midwest—she hails from Ohio.
  • 4. The sudden hailstorm caught everyone by surprise.

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