B2verbtransportmedia
US/heɪl/
UK/heɪl/
to call out or wave to get attention, especially to stop a taxi; also to praise publicly
In context
I stood on the corner and tried to hail a cab in the rain.
The newspapers hailed her as the best young writer of her generation.
My grandparents hail from a small village near Hue.
Words that go with hail
verb + noun
- hail a taxiIt is easy to hail a taxi near the station.
- hail a cabWe hailed a cab outside the hotel.
- hail a rideYou can hail a ride with a single tap on your phone.
verb + preposition
- hailed as a heroThe firefighter was hailed as a hero.
- hailed as a successThe festival was hailed as a success by local newspapers.
- hail fromThe band hails from a small town in Texas.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I called a taxi on the street.Correct: I hailed a taxi on the street.