salute
sa·lute/səˈlut/noun, verb
salute is spelled S-A-L-U-T-E: 6 letters and 2 syllables (sa·lute). It appears 5.1 times per million words in written English, the 11,015th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, salute means “An utterance or gesture expressing greeting or honor towards someone, (now especially) a formal, non-verbal gesture made with the arms or hands in…” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of salute is salutes.
How many letters and syllables are in salute?
| Letters | 6: S-A-L-U-T-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: sa·lute |
| In writing | 5.1 times per million words; the 11,015th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is salute?
Salute appears 5.1 times per million words in written English, the 11,015th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce salute?
- UK /səˈl(j)uːt/
- US /səˈlut/
Salute has 2 syllables, split sa·lute in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-uk-salute.ogg, En-us-salute.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with salute
Also written: solute.
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
What rhymes with salute?
The 12 most written words on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as salute from its last stressed vowel (/ut/):
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of salute
- salutes plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- saluting participle, present
- saluted participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does salute mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
An utterance or gesture expressing greeting or honor towards someone, (now especially) a formal, non-verbal gesture made with the arms or hands in any of various specific positions.
The soldiers greeted the dignitaries with a crisp salute.
- 2
A kiss, offered in salutation.
[M]aking an apology which, not suspecting his intention, I did not understand, – he gave me a most ardent salute! I have seldom been more surprised. I had no idea of his taking such a freedom.
- 3
A discharge of cannon or similar arms, as a mark of honour or respect.
- 4
A pyrotechnic device primarily designed to produce a loud bang.
verb
- 1
To make a gesture in honor of (someone or something).
They saluted the flag as it passed in the parade.
- 2
To act in thanks, honor, or tribute; to thank or extend gratitude; to praise.
I would like to salute the many dedicated volunteers that make this project possible.
- 3
Irelandinformalto wave, to acknowledge an acquaintance.
I saluted Bill at the concert, but he didn't see me through the crowd.
- 4
To address, as with expressions of kind wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail.
- 5
To promote the welfare and safety of; to benefit; to gratify.
- 6
archaicTo kiss.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Salute in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| Portuguese | saudação |
| Spanish | salutacionar, hacer una salutación |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does salute come from?
Borrowed from Latin salūtō (“to greet; to wish health to”), from salūs (“greeting, good health”), related to salvus (“safe”).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).