salute
salute — verb
1. to show formal military respect by raising your right hand toward your forehead,
to show formal military respect by raising your right hand toward your forehead, especially when meeting a superior officer or during a ceremonial event
Every morning the guards salute the flag as it is raised over the camp.
salute the flag
The new soldier saluted the general nervously, trying to remember the correct form.
During the ceremony all officers must salute when the national anthem begins.
Amani saluted the colonel and waited for him to return the gesture.
Troops standing at attention saluted as the presidential car drove slowly past.
- ignore
to deliberately pay no attention, the opposite of showing formal respect
文法句型
salute + noun phrase
salute (no object)
用法筆記
The object may be omitted when the recipient is clear from context: "He saluted." is complete on its own. Officers typically return a subordinate's salute as a professional courtesy.
常見錯誤
2. to publicly express praise or admiration for someone because of something they h
to publicly express praise or admiration for someone because of something they have achieved or contributed
The community centre saluted the fire brigade with a special award ceremony.
salute with an award
Doctors around the world saluted the research team's breakthrough in cancer care.
salute a breakthrough
The newspaper editorial saluted the volunteers who rebuilt the damaged school.
Citizens across the city saluted the nurses for their tireless work during the flood.
- praise
more general and can be informal; 'salute' has a more formal, public tone
- honour
similar formality but broader; 'honour' can involve awards or titles, while 'salute' is often verbal or symbolic
- acclaim
more enthusiastic and public; 'acclaim' suggests strong approval from many people
- commend
more official and structured, often used in formal reports
- criticise
to express disapproval, the opposite of showing public admiration
文法句型
salute + noun phrase
salute + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Typically used for notable achievements or contributions. Common in formal speeches, official statements, and award ceremonies. The structure 'salute someone for something' is the most frequent pattern.
常見錯誤
3. to greet or welcome someone in a polite and friendly way, often using a gesture
to greet or welcome someone in a polite and friendly way, often using a gesture or kind words
The gentleman saluted the hostess with a polite bow before entering the room.
salute with a bow
Noa saluted her aunt with a cheerful wave from across the busy street.
The diplomat saluted each delegate personally before the meeting began.
Old Mr. Chen raised his hat to salute the neighbours he passed on his walk.
- snub
to ignore or reject someone deliberately, the opposite of greeting them politely
文法句型
salute + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is somewhat formal and less common in everyday speech. In modern English, 'greet', 'say hello to', or 'wave at' are more typical for informal situations.
常見錯誤
salute — noun
1. the formal hand gesture that soldiers and officers use to show respect, performe
the formal hand gesture that soldiers and officers use to show respect, performed by lifting the right hand up toward the forehead
The soldier gave a crisp salute and held it until the officer walked away.
give a salute
His salute was so quick that the captain barely had time to return it.
Standing at attention, she raised her hand in a perfect salute for the inspection.
The recruits practised their salutes in front of a mirror for half an hour.
A salute is one of the first things new soldiers learn during basic training.
用法筆記
Often used with 'give', 'return', or 'hold'. A salute is held until the senior officer returns it or moves past.
常見錯誤
2. the ceremonial firing of guns or cannons as a sign of respect for an important p
the ceremonial firing of guns or cannons as a sign of respect for an important person or event
The warship fired a twenty-one-gun salute to welcome the visiting president.
21-gun salute
A ceremonial cannon salute echoed across the harbour during the royal visit.
The funeral included a gun salute in honour of the former general's long service.
Seven soldiers stood by the grave and fired a farewell salute into the grey sky.
用法筆記
A 'twenty-one-gun salute' reserves the highest honour and is used for heads of state. Fewer guns (e.g. eleven, seventeen) are used for lower-ranking officials.
常見錯誤
3. an action, statement, or event that publicly shows honour or admiration for some
an action, statement, or event that publicly shows honour or admiration for someone or something
The park statue is a lasting salute to the town's fallen war heroes.
lasting salute
The audience rose in a silent salute to the conductor on his final evening.
silent salute
Tuan's speech was a heartfelt salute to his mother's years of hard work.
The evening news ended with a special salute to retiring teachers across the city.
The whole stadium stood together in a salute to the retiring athlete's career.
- tribute
very similar in meaning; 'tribute' is slightly more common, 'salute' retains a hint of military origin
- honour
broader; an honour can be a position or award, while a salute is a gesture or statement
- recognition
focuses on acknowledging merit rather than expressing admiration
- insult
an action or statement that shows disrespect
用法筆記
Common in phrases like 'a salute to something/someone'. Often used in the titles of events, articles, or ceremonies.
常見錯誤
4. a polite expression of greeting or goodwill when meeting or welcoming someone
a polite expression of greeting or goodwill when meeting or welcoming someone
Rodrigo offered a cheerful salute as he passed his neighbour's garden gate.
The letter began with a formal salute and ended with warm wishes for the future.
formal salute in a letter
Manuela raised her teacup in a friendly salute to the guests across the room.
Aaron returned the stranger's salute with a small nod and a kind smile.
- greeting
the common everyday word; 'greeting' works in all situations
- salutation
very formal, often used for the opening line of a letter
- snub
a deliberate refusal to greet or acknowledge someone
用法筆記
Increasingly formal or literary in modern English. In everyday conversation, 'greeting' or 'hello' are more natural choices.