noun / adjective / interjection
farewell
fair-WEL/fˌɛrwˈɛl/
An expression of goodbye at parting.
Two friends wave farewell as one boards the train with a suitcase.
Etymology
The phrase wishes someone to travel or get along well. Usually addressed to the departing person, that wish became a conventional expression of goodbye.
In context
she embraced Elizabeth and said in a voice of half supressed emotion farewell sweet lady dearest Elizabeth my beloved and only friend may heaven in its Bounty bless and preserve you
More examples
- We exchange warm farewells before heading home.
- Her coworkers organize a farewell dinner before she moves.
- Farewell, my friends, and thank you for everything!
Forms
farewell · farewells
Similar words
- goodbye
- The everyday alternative, usually less formal or final.
- so long
- An informal spoken goodbye, usually without a sense of finality.