farewell
/'feə'wel/
Definition
Noun: 1. An act of saying goodbye, a formal or polite departure: "Farewell" refers to the act of leaving or the words spoken when someone departs. 2. Words expressing good wishes at parting: "Farewell" can also mean the specific words of goodbye or good wishes said when someone leaves.
Usage
"Farewell" is a formal or somewhat old-fashioned word. It is often used for significant, permanent, or emotionally charged departures. It can function as a standalone exclamation ("Farewell!") or as a noun ("a fond farewell").
Examples
As a noun:
- We held a small farewell for our colleague who was moving abroad.
- He bid a tearful farewell to his family at the airport.
- "Parting is such sweet sorrow" is a famous line about saying farewell.
As an exclamation (less common in modern speech):
- "Farewell," he said, "and may we meet again in happier times."
Advanced Usage
- "to bid farewell": to say goodbye formally.
- The town gathered to bid farewell to their retiring mayor.
- "a fond farewell": a warm, affectionate goodbye.
- We gave her a fond farewell and best wishes for her new job.
Variants and Related Words
- Farewells (n, plural): Multiple instances of saying goodbye.
- The long series of farewells was emotionally draining.
- Farewell (adj, attributive): Describing an event held to say goodbye.
- They organized a farewell party. (Note: This is a compound usage where "farewell" modifies another noun.)
Synonyms
- Goodbye: The standard, more common term for parting.
- Adieu: A French-derived term with similar formality to "farewell."
- Parting: The act or moment of separation.
- Valediction: A very formal term for a farewell speech or statement.
Antonyms
- Greeting: An act of welcoming someone.
- Welcome: Words or actions offered upon someone's arrival.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "to say one's farewells": to formally say goodbye to people.
- Before leaving the country, she made sure to say her farewells to all her friends.
- "a final farewell": a last goodbye, often implying death or a permanent separation.
- The memorial service was a chance for everyone to give their final farewell.
Noun
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the act of departing politely
-
he disliked long farewells
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he took his leave
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parting is such sweet sorrow
-
-
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
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