Definition

Interjection: * A word or phrase used to express farewell; goodbye. It is a direct borrowing from Spanish, commonly used in English, especially in regions with Spanish influence.

Usage

• As a farewell: Used to say goodbye, often with a sense of finality or a casual, friendly tone.
  • "Well, I'm off. Adios, everyone!"
  • He waved and called out, "Adios, amigo!" as he drove away.

Advanced Usage

• Informal and Stylistic: While "adios" is understood, it is considered informal and is often used to inject a specific casual, Spanish, or Western/cowboy flair into speech. It is less common in formal written English than "goodbye" or "farewell."
  • With a tip of his hat, the cowboy said, "Adios, partner," and rode into the sunset.

Variants and Related Words

• Goodbye (interj., n.): The standard English term for farewell.
• Farewell (interj., n.): A more formal or poetic term for goodbye.
• Adieu (interj., n.): A French borrowing meaning "to God," used in English for a formal, often permanent, farewell.

Synonyms

• Goodbye
• Farewell
• So long
• See you later
• Bye

Related Idioms

• Say one's adios: To say goodbye.
  • After the party, it was time to say our adios and head home.

Noun

1. a farewell remark
   • they said their good-byes