Hailing
/ˈheɪlɪŋ/
verbB2present participle
Definition
Hailing is the action of calling or signaling to someone to attract their attention. It can mean shouting to get someone's notice, like calling a taxi or greeting someone warmly. It is often used when trying to stop a taxi or to praise someone publicly.
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See It in Action
Calling or signaling to get someone’s attention
- •She was hailing a taxi on the busy street.
- •The passengers were hailing the bus as it arrived.
- •He stood on the corner hailing a cab after the party.
Praising or welcoming someone publicly (less common)
- •The crowd was hailing the hero after the rescue.
- •The movie was hailed as a masterpiece by critics.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "hailing" like "calling" (A1 word), but more about attracting attention from a distance or to stop a vehicle
- ✓Picture someone standing on the street raising their hand and shouting "Taxi!" to stop a cab
- ✓It's the feeling when you see a friend and wave or call their name loudly to say hello
- ✓Sounds like "HAIL-ing" → imagine rain (hail) falling and someone shouting loudly to be heard over the noise
- ✓Think of a person on a busy street trying to get a taxi driver’s attention quickly and clearly
- ✓NOT like "whisper" (quiet), hailing is loud or clear enough to be noticed
- ✓NOT like "greeting" only (which can be quiet), hailing often involves effort to get attention
- ✓NOT like "ignoring" — hailing is about making contact, not avoiding it
Try Other Words
- •Calling: speaking or shouting to get attention (Use when the action is general and not necessarily to stop a vehicle)
- •Signaling: using a gesture or sign to attract attention (Use when no words are spoken)
- •Greeting: saying hello (Use when the focus is on welcoming, not calling for attention)
- •Praising: expressing approval (Use when "hailing" means praising someone publicly)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: hail (root verb meaning to call or greet) + -ing (present participle suffix showing ongoing action)
- •Etymology: from Old English "hæl" meaning health or good wishes, later used to call or greet someone
- •Historical development: originally used to wish good health, then to call out to someone, especially to stop a vehicle or get attention
- •Modern usage: common in everyday speech for calling taxis, greeting someone loudly, or praising publicly
Reflect & Connect
•When have you tried hailing a taxi or calling someone’s attention in a busy place? How did you do it?
•How does the meaning of hailing change when it is used to praise someone instead of calling them?
Fill in the blanks
1.She was ___ a taxi because the rain was starting to fall heavily.
2.When hailing a bus, you usually have to ___ your hand or shout loudly.
3.The crowd was ___ the athlete after the big win, showing their respect.
4.Unlike whispering, hailing requires you to be ___ enough to be noticed.
5.People often hail taxis in the city by standing on the ___ and raising a hand.
6.When someone is hailed as a hero, it means they are publicly ___.
7.You can hail a cab by ___ your voice or by signaling with your hand.