Salutation
sal-yoo-TAY-shun
/ˌsæl.jəˈteɪ.ʃən/
A greeting or welcoming expression, especially a formal opening phrase in a letter or email.
Refers specifically to the formulaic opening of written correspondence (e.g., 'Dear Ms. Davis' or 'Good morning'), distinguishing it from casual spoken greetings.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, to greet someone was to wish them good health (salus). When Romans wrote letters, they opened with 'salutem', praying for the reader's wellbeing. Over centuries, this Latin wish morphed into our formal written 'salutation'.
Word relationships
- greeting: 'Greeting' can be spoken or written, whereas 'salutation' specifically denotes a structured opening in written text.
- welcome: 'Welcome' implies hospitality or acceptance, while 'salutation' is purely the introductory formula.
- sign-off: 'Sign-off' is the closing formula at the end of a message, opposite to the opening salutation.
Commonly confused with
- salvation: 'Salvation' means deliverance from harm or ruin, while 'salutation' is a formal written greeting.
Word family
- salute (verb): To greet or show respect formally.
- salutary (adjective): Producing a beneficial effect or wholesome outcome.
Collocations
- formal salutation
- appropriate salutation
- opening salutation
- standard salutation
Example sentences
- "Selecting an appropriate salutation sets a respectful tone for the entire professional exchange." Professional correspondence guidelines
- "The letter opened with a traditional salutation before introducing the business proposal." Formal letter writing
Memory hook
Think of SALUtations as SALUting someone warmly at the door of your email. Wish them good health with your opening greeting.
When not to use
Avoid using for casual, informal spoken greetings like a wave or a high-five.
Fun facts
- The classic email salutation 'Dear' entered English letter-writing in the 15th century as a literal expression of affection, but gradually lost its emotional weight to become a standard formality.
Related words
Explore more words
greeting, condolence, compliment, benediction, courtesy, etiquette
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