The Ultimate Guide to Synonyms of ‘Hails’: Definitions, Examples, and Usage in English Grammar

by

The English verb ‘hail’ is surprisingly versatile, with meanings ranging from enthusiastic greetings to public praise and even the act of signaling for attention. Its synonyms capture a wide spectrum of nuance, making them essential tools for clear, expressive, and sophisticated communication. Whether you’re writing an essay, editing professional documents, or simply aiming to sound more natural in conversation, mastering the synonyms of ‘hails’ will significantly enhance your English skills.

Why does this matter? Understanding and using synonyms correctly not only expands your vocabulary but also helps you avoid repetition, choose the most accurate word for each situation, and comprehend written and spoken English at a deeper level. By learning the subtle differences between these words, you can express yourself more precisely and understand others more completely.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through definitions, types, sentence structures, usage rules, common mistakes, advanced nuances, and practical exercises. It is designed for ESL learners, teachers, advanced students, writers, editors, and anyone eager to refine their command of English.

By the end, you’ll have a deep understanding of ‘hails’ synonyms and the confidence to use them accurately in various contexts.

Table of Contents

3. Definition Section

3.1. What Does ‘Hails’ Mean?

The verb ‘hail’ has a rich history and several important meanings in English. The word traces its origins to Old Norse (“heill,” meaning health or luck) and Old English (“hǣlan”), initially meaning to wish health to someone. Over time, its meaning broadened:

  • To greet or acclaim enthusiastically: “The crowd hailed the athlete as a hero.”
  • To call out or signal: “He hailed a taxi.”
  • To describe or praise publicly: “The invention was hailed as revolutionary.”

Note: ‘Hail’ is also a noun meaning a type of precipitation (ice pellets), but this article focuses only on the verb and its synonyms related to greeting, praise, and origin.

3.2. Grammatical Classification

As a verb, ‘hail’ can be both transitive (She hailed the bus) and intransitive (less common, e.g., Hail, Caesar!). Its synonyms are also mainly verbs, sharing similar grammatical behavior.

  • Transitive: Takes a direct object. (“They hailed the king.”)
  • Intransitive: Rare, often in archaic or set expressions. (“Hail!”)

3.3. Function in Sentences

‘Hail’ and its synonyms most often function as main verbs. They can take direct objects (e.g., “greet the guests,” “praise the scientist”) or be followed by prepositional phrases (e.g., “hailed as a genius,” “hail from London”).

Direct Object: “The press hailed the policy.”
Indirect Object: Rare, but possible in some synonyms (“She gave a welcome to the visitors.”)

3.4. Usage Contexts

Formality: Some uses are quite formal (“acclaim,” “laud”), while others are everyday (“call,” “welcome”).
Collocations: Common patterns include:

  • hailed as (a hero/genius/innovator)
  • hailed from (a city/country/origin)
  • greeted warmly
  • acclaimed by (critics, the public)

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. Sentence Patterns with ‘Hails’ and Its Synonyms

  • Subject + verb + (object): “They hailed the explorer.”
  • Subject + verb + as + complement: “She was hailed as a pioneer.”
  • Subject + verb + from + location: “He hails from Spain.”

4.2. Verb Forms and Tenses

Most synonyms of ‘hail’ are regular verbs, but some have irregular forms. Here is a conjugation table for ‘hail’ and key synonyms:

Table 1: Conjugation of ‘hail’ and Key Synonyms
Verb Base -ing Form Past Simple Past Participle 3rd Person Singular
hail hail hailing hailed hailed hails
greet greet greeting greeted greeted greets
acclaim acclaim acclaiming acclaimed acclaimed acclaims
salute salute saluting saluted saluted salutes
laud laud lauding lauded lauded lauds
stem stem stemming stemmed stemmed stems
call call calling called called calls

4.3. Collocations and Prepositional Patterns

‘Hail’ and its synonyms often appear in set expressions:

  • Hail + as + noun/adjective: “hailed as a masterpiece”
  • Hail + from + place: “She hails from India.”
  • Greet + with + noun: “greeted with applause”
  • Acclaim + by/for: “acclaimed by critics”
Table 2: Common Collocations with ‘Hail’ and Synonyms
Verb Collocation Example
hail as + noun/adjective hailed as a hero
hail from + place hails from Australia
greet with + noun greeted with cheers
acclaim by + group acclaimed by audiences
salute with + gesture saluted with a wave
laud for + achievement lauded for bravery
call out to + person called out to the driver

4.4. Register and Tone

Some synonyms are formal (e.g., “laud,” “commend”), while others are neutral or informal (“call,” “welcome”). Choose a synonym that matches the context and audience:

  • Formal: “The Nobel laureate was lauded for her work.”
  • Informal: “He shouted to his friend.”

5. Types or Categories

5.1. Synonyms Based on Meaning Nuance

  • 5.1.1. Synonyms meaning “to greet or welcome”:
    • greet
    • salute
    • welcome
    • address
    • acknowledge
  • 5.1.2. Synonyms meaning “to acclaim or praise”:
    • acclaim
    • applaud
    • commend
    • honor
    • celebrate
    • extol
    • laud
  • 5.1.3. Synonyms meaning “to originate from”:
    • come from
    • originate
    • derive
    • emerge
    • stem
  • 5.1.4. Synonyms meaning “to call out or signal”:
    • call
    • shout
    • signal
    • beckon
    • summon

5.2. Categorized List of Synonyms (Table 3)

Table 3: Categorized List of Synonyms for ‘Hails’
Synonym Definition Primary Usage Context Register
greet To offer a polite or friendly welcome Greeting people Neutral
salute To show respect or greet, especially formally Military, formal Formal
acclaim To praise enthusiastically and publicly Achievements, art, public recognition Formal
applaud To praise or show approval, sometimes literally by clapping Performance, achievement Neutral
laud To praise highly, especially in a formal way Academic, literary, formal Formal
commend To praise formally or officially Official, formal Formal
celebrate To honor or praise publicly, often with festivities Events, achievements Neutral
welcome To greet with pleasure or approval Hospitality, casual or formal Neutral
call To shout or speak loudly to get attention Everyday situations Informal
signal To make a gesture or action to attract attention Traffic, communication Neutral
beckon To make a gesture for someone to come nearer Inviting, casual Neutral
summon To authoritatively call someone to come Formal, official Formal
come from To originate in a place Background, origin Neutral
originate To begin or arise in a place Academic, historical Formal
stem To derive or come from Academic, neutral Neutral

5.3. Register-Based Categories

  • Formal Synonyms: acclaim, laud, commend, salute, summon, originate
  • Neutral Synonyms: greet, welcome, signal, celebrate, stem, come from
  • Informal/Common Synonyms: call, shout, beckon

6. Examples Section

6.1. Basic Sentence Examples

  • They hailed the new policy as a success.
  • The teacher greeted the students at the door.
  • The team was acclaimed for its performance.
  • She saluted the flag.
  • The crowd applauded the speaker.
  • He beckoned to his friend to join him.
  • The invention originated in Germany.
  • She comes from a small town.
  • He signaled the waiter for the check.
  • We welcome new members to our club.

6.2. Complex and Compound Sentences

  • Although the film was initially criticized, it was later hailed as a masterpiece by critics worldwide.
  • When the president entered, the crowd applauded enthusiastically and cheered his name.
  • She originates from a family of musicians, which influenced her career.
  • After a long journey, the explorers were welcomed with open arms by the villagers.
  • The scientist was not only commended for her research but also lauded for her dedication to education.

6.3. Contextual Examples

  • The mayor greeted the international delegates warmly.
  • The novel was acclaimed by literary critics.
  • She hailed from a remote region of the country.
  • He saluted his superior before entering the office.
  • The chef’s new dish was lauded by food magazines.
  • He beckoned to the dog to come inside.

6.4. Examples by Category

6.4.1. To Greet or Welcome

  • The mayor greeted the guests warmly.
  • The general saluted the troops.
  • She welcomed the opportunity to help.
  • He addressed the audience.
  • The teacher acknowledged the new students.

6.4.2. To Acclaim or Praise

  • The scientist was acclaimed for her discovery.
  • The film was lauded by critics.
  • The athlete was applauded for his sportsmanship.
  • The CEO was commended for innovative leadership.
  • The community celebrated their local hero.
  • The artist’s work was extolled by the press.

6.4.3. To Call Out or Signal

  • She signaled the waiter for the bill.
  • He beckoned to his friend across the street.
  • The coach called to the players.
  • The teacher shouted instructions.
  • The boss summoned the team to her office.

6.4.4. To Originate From

  • She hails from Canada.
  • The tradition stems from ancient Greece.
  • The recipe originates in Italy.
  • He comes from a family of doctors.
  • The practice derives from old customs.

6.5. Side-by-Side Comparison Table (Table 4)

Table 4: Side-by-Side Comparison – ‘Hail’ vs. Synonyms
Context Using ‘Hail’ Using Synonym
Greeting He hailed the visitors. He greeted the visitors.
Praise The team was hailed as champions. The team was acclaimed as champions.
Origin She hails from Ireland. She comes from Ireland.
Signal He hailed a cab. He called a cab.
Public announcement The discovery was hailed as a breakthrough. The discovery was lauded as a breakthrough.

6.6. Synonyms in Different Tenses Table (Table 5)

Table 5: Synonyms in Different Tenses
Verb Present Simple Past Simple Present Continuous Present Perfect
hail hail/ hails hailed am/is/are hailing have/has hailed
greet greet/ greets greeted am/is/are greeting have/has greeted
acclaim acclaim/ acclaims acclaimed am/is/are acclaiming have/has acclaimed
laud laud/ lauds lauded am/is/are lauding have/has lauded
signal signal/ signals signaled am/is/are signaling have/has signaled

6.7. Formal vs. Informal Usage Table (Table 6)

Table 6: Formal vs. Informal Usage Examples
Register Synonym Example
Formal laud The scientist was lauded for her contributions.
Formal acclaim The book was acclaimed by scholars worldwide.
Neutral greet He greeted the guests at the door.
Neutral welcome We welcome new students to the school.
Informal shout She shouted to her friend across the park.
Informal call He called for a taxi.

7. Usage Rules

7.1. When to Use Each Synonym

  • ‘Hail’: Use for enthusiastic greeting, public praise, or indicating origin (“hailed from”).
  • ‘Greet’: Use for everyday welcomes (“greeted the guests”).
  • ‘Acclaim’, ‘laud’, ‘commend’: Use for formal praise, especially in writing, academic, or professional contexts.
  • ‘Call’, ‘shout’, ‘signal’: Use for getting someone’s attention in informal or neutral contexts.
  • ‘Come from’, ‘originate’, ‘stem’: Use to describe background or origin.

7.2. Subject-Verb Agreement Considerations

Ensure that the verb agrees with the subject:

  • He hails from France. They hail from France.
  • She greets everyone. We greet everyone.
  • It originates here. They originate here.

7.3. Prepositional Usage

  • ‘as’: “hailed as a genius,” “acclaimed as an expert”
  • ‘from’: “hails from Italy,” “comes from a small village”
  • ‘for’: “commended for bravery,” “lauded for her work”
  • ‘by’: “acclaimed by critics,” “applauded by the audience”

7.4. Passive vs. Active Voice

  • Active: “The press hailed her as a leader.”
  • Passive: “She was hailed as a leader by the press.”
  • Active: “The audience applauded the speaker.”
  • Passive: “The speaker was applauded by the audience.”

7.5. Variations by Region (British vs. American Usage)

  • ‘Hail’ is common in both British and American English, but ‘hail a cab’ is slightly more frequent in the US, while ‘call a taxi’ is more common in the UK.
  • ‘Laud’ and ‘acclaim’ are more often seen in British journalism and literature.

7.6. Special Cases and Exceptions

  • ‘Hail from’ is a set phrase; avoid “applaud from” or “laud from.”
  • Some synonyms are not interchangeable in all contexts (see mistakes section).

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Incorrect Synonym Substitution

  • Using ‘applaud’ for origin: Incorrect: “She applauds from Canada.” Correct: “She hails from Canada.”
  • Using ‘hail’ for physical applause: Incorrect: “The audience hailed at the end.” Correct: “The audience applauded at the end.”

8.2. Preposition Errors

  • Using ‘as’ with the wrong verb: Incorrect: “She was greeted as a scientist.” Correct: “She was hailed as a scientist.”
  • Using ‘from’ with the wrong verb: Incorrect: “She acclaimed from Spain.” Correct: “She hails from Spain.”

8.3. Register Mismatch

  • Using ‘laud’ in casual conversation: Incorrect: “I lauded your cake.” Correct: “I liked your cake.” or “I praised your cake.”

8.4. Grammatical Agreement Errors

  • Incorrect: “He hail from Italy.” Correct: “He hails from Italy.”
  • Incorrect: “They comes from Japan.” Correct: “They come from Japan.”

8.5. Correct vs. Incorrect Examples Table (Table 7)

Table 7: Correct vs. Incorrect Usage
Incorrect Correct Explanation
She applauds from Canada. She hails from Canada. ‘Applaud’ means to praise, not to indicate origin.
The movie was greeted as a classic. The movie was hailed as a classic. ‘Hailed as’ means acclaimed as; ‘greeted as’ is incorrect here.
He lauded from Italy. He hails from Italy. ‘Lauded’ means praised, not originated.
She was welcomed as a pioneer by the media. She was hailed as a pioneer by the media. ‘Welcomed as’ is awkward; ‘hailed as’ is the correct phrase for public praise.
The crowd hailed loudly at the performance. The crowd applauded loudly at the performance. ‘Applauded’ is the correct verb for clapping.

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise

  1. The new artist was _______ by critics as a genius. (hailed / signaled / called)
  2. She _______ from a small village in Spain. (hails / greets / celebrates)
  3. The crowd _______ the speaker after his inspiring talk. (applauded / stemmed / beckoned)
  4. The general _______ the soldiers before the parade. (saluted / lauded / originated)
  5. The boss _______ the team to her office for a meeting. (summoned / welcomed / came)

9.2. Error Correction

  1. He applaud from Canada.
  2. The book was greeted as a masterpiece.
  3. They hailed for their bravery.
  4. She was lauded from Italy.
  5. The teacher shouted as a hero.

9.3. Synonym Identification

  1. Which synonym best fits: “The invention was ____ as revolutionary.”
    a) called
    b) hailed
    c) signaled
  2. Which synonym best fits: “She ____ from Scotland.”
    a) stems
    b) hails
    c) applauds
  3. Which synonym best fits: “The audience ____ the performers.”
    a) beckoned
    b) applauded
    c) originates
  4. Which synonym best fits: “The officer ____ the flag.”
    a) saluted
    b) lauded
    c) called
  5. Which synonym best fits: “He ____ the waiter for the check.”
    a) hailed
    b) welcomed
    c) celebrated

9.4. Sentence Construction

  • Write a sentence using ‘laud’ to praise someone’s achievement.
  • Write a sentence using ‘stem from’ to describe a tradition’s origin.
  • Write a sentence using ‘beckon’ in an informal context.
  • Write a sentence using ‘acclaim’ in the passive voice.
  • Write a sentence using ‘hail’ to call a taxi.

9.5. Practice Exercises Table with Answer Key (Table 8)

Table 8: Practice Exercises and Answers
Exercise Answer
1. The new artist was _______ by critics as a genius. hailed
2. She _______ from a small village in Spain. hails
3. The crowd _______ the speaker after his inspiring talk. applauded
4. The general _______ the soldiers before the parade. saluted
5. The boss _______ the team to her office for a meeting. summoned
Error Correction 1: He applaud from Canada. He hails from Canada.
Error Correction 2: The book was greeted as a masterpiece. The book was hailed as a masterpiece.
Error Correction 3: They hailed for their bravery. They were hailed for their bravery.
Error Correction 4: She was lauded from Italy. She hails from Italy.
Error Correction 5: The teacher shouted as a hero. The teacher was hailed as a hero.
Synonym Identification 1 b) hailed
Synonym Identification 2 b) hails
Synonym Identification 3 b) applauded
Synonym Identification 4 a) saluted
Synonym Identification 5 a) hailed

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. Subtle Differences in Connotation

‘Laud’ vs. ‘Acclaim’ vs. ‘Commend’:

  • ‘Laud’ implies formal, high praise, often in writing or speeches.
  • ‘Acclaim’ emphasizes enthusiastic, public approval.
  • ‘Commend’ suggests official or formal praise, especially for duty or achievement.

10.2. Synonyms in Idiomatic Expressions

  • “Hailed as a hero” – common phrase for public praise.
  • “Stem from” – used in academic writing to indicate origin.
  • “Salute the flag” – set phrase for military respect.

10.3. Historical and Literary Usage

  • Shakespeare’s “Hail, Caesar!” as a greeting.
  • Classic literature often uses ‘laud’ and ‘extol’ in descriptions of heroes or virtues.
  • Newspapers historically use ‘acclaim’ for award winners.

10.4. Synonyms in Professional and Academic Language

  • ‘Originate’ and ‘stem from’ are preferred in research and academic writing.
  • ‘Acclaim’ and ‘commend’ are common in formal reports, awards, and professional communications.

10.5. Cross-Linguistic Comparisons

  • In Spanish, ‘provenir’ or ‘venir de’ corresponds to ‘hail from’.
  • French uses ‘venir de’ for origin, ‘acclamer’ for acclaim.
  • Beware of false friends: ‘applaudir’ in French only means to clap, not to praise in general.

11. FAQ Section

  1. What are the most common synonyms for ‘hails’ in modern English?
    The most common are greet, acclaim, applaud, welcome, call, come from, and signal. The context determines which is most appropriate.
  2. Can ‘hail’ be used as both a noun and a verb, and do the synonyms apply to both?
    Yes, ‘hail’ is a noun (ice pellets from the sky) and a verb (to greet/praise/signal/originate). The synonyms discussed only apply to the verb meanings related to greeting, acclaim, signaling, or origin.
  3. How do I know which synonym to use in formal writing?
    Use acclaim, laud, commend, originate in formal or academic contexts. Hail as, stem from are also formal. Avoid informal synonyms like ‘call’ or ‘shout’ in formal writing.
  4. What’s the difference between ‘acclaim’ and ‘applaud’?
    Acclaim is public, enthusiastic praise (especially in media or awards). Applaud is literal (clapping) or figurative (showing approval), but usually implies a group response.
  5. Is ‘hail from’ interchangeable with ‘come from’?
    Usually, yes, but ‘hail from’ is more formal and less common in everyday speech. “He comes from France” is more conversational than “He hails from France.”
  6. Are there any synonyms of ‘hails’ that are considered old-fashioned?
    Laud, extol, salute (outside military) are formal and can sound old-fashioned in casual talk, but are still common in writing.
  7. Can I use ‘hail’ in the passive voice, and what about its synonyms?
    Yes. “She was hailed as a genius.” Passive is common with acclaim, laud, commend as well.
  8. What are some common mistakes made by non-native speakers with these synonyms?
    Using the wrong preposition (“applauded from Canada”), substituting synonyms in the wrong context, or using formal words in informal situations.
  9. How do register and tone affect synonym choice?
    Formal contexts require formal synonyms (acclaim, laud, commend), while everyday conversation uses neutral or informal ones (greet, welcome, call).
  10. Are there idioms or expressions that exclusively use ‘hail’ or a specific synonym?
    Yes. “Hailed as a hero,” “stem from a tradition,” “salute the flag” are set phrases with fixed verbs.
  11. Do British and American English differ in their use of ‘hail’ and its synonyms?
    Slightly. “Hail a cab” is more American; “call a taxi” is more British. Otherwise, usage is similar.
  12. How can I practice and remember the correct usage of these synonyms?
    Use the exercises and tables in this guide, read widely, keep a vocabulary notebook, and try using each synonym in sentences about your own life or interests.

12. Conclusion

Understanding the many synonyms of ‘hails’ opens up a world of expressive and precise English. From greeting and acclaiming to signaling and describing origin, each synonym carries its own nuance, register, and usage. By mastering these words, you can communicate more clearly, write more elegantly, and sound more natural in conversation.

Key takeaways: Always match the synonym to the context and level of formality. Pay attention to collocations and prepositional patterns. Review the tables in this guide for quick reference, and use the practice exercises to build confidence.

The journey to mastery doesn’t end here. Keep reading, writing, and experimenting with new synonyms.

The more you practice, the more natural and versatile your English will become!

Remember: Expanding your vocabulary with synonyms like those for ‘hails’ is not just about sounding impressive—it’s about being a more effective and engaging communicator.

Leave a Comment