godspeed
/'gɔd'spi:d/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - An expression of good wishes for someone's success and safety, especially at the start of a journey or a new venture. It conveys hope for a prosperous and safe passage or endeavor.
Usage
- As a farewell wish: Used to wish someone success and safety, often as they depart.
- Typically used in formal or literary contexts: More common in written English, speeches, or traditional well-wishing than in casual conversation.
Examples
- The community gathered to bid the explorers godspeed on their perilous voyage.
- With a final handshake and a wish of godspeed, she sent him off to his new job overseas.
- He left the house with his family's godspeed ringing in his ears.
Advanced Usage
- "To bid/wish someone godspeed": This is the standard construction for using the term.
- The general came to bid the troops godspeed before the mission.
- Often used with a sense of solemnity or importance, implying the journey or task ahead is significant or challenging.
Variants and Related Words
- Farewell (n): An act of parting or of marking someone's departure.
- Bon voyage (n): A phrase borrowed from French with a very similar meaning, specifically for a journey.
- Safe travels: A more modern and common phrase expressing a similar sentiment.
Synonyms
- Good luck: A general wish for success.
- Safe journey: A wish specifically for travel safety.
- Best wishes: A general expression of hope for good things.
Notes on Form
- Capitalization: It is often capitalized as Godspeed, acknowledging its etymological origin as "God speed you."
- No plural form: The word "godspeed" is typically used as an uncountable noun. You do not say "godspeeds."
Noun
- a successful journey
- they wished him Godspeed