farewell
interjection
goodbye; may you fare well.
farewell
1 American
[fair-wel]
/ ˌfɛərˈwɛl /
interjection
noun
-
farewells
plural
-
an expression of good wishes at parting.
They made their farewells and left.
-
a fond farewell.
-
a party given to a person who is about to embark on a long journey, retire, leave an organization, etc.
adjective
Farewell
2
American
[fair-wel]
/ ˌfɛərˈwɛl /
noun
farewell
British
/ ˌfɛəˈwɛl /
noun
-
a parting salutation
-
an act of departure; leave-taking
-
(modifier) expressing leave-taking
a farewell speech
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of farewell
First recorded in 1325–75, farewell is from the Middle English word farwel. See fare, well 1
Explanation
If you’re saying goodbye to someone you might not see for long time, say farewell, preferably while waving a hankie from the Queen Mary before it sails across the Atlantic. Farewell is a fancy way to say goodbye. A farewell is also an expression of good wishes at a parting. If you’re leaving a job after being there a long time, your co-workers might throw you a farewell party. Farewell is an expression, like "goodbye," but also a noun — if you like to leave without a lot of fuss, you don’t like long farewells. Farewell is a combination of fare and well. Fare comes from the Old English word faran, which means "to journey."
Vocabulary lists containing farewell
The Cricket in Times Square
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"The Three Chicarrones"
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for July 8–July 14, 2023
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In June, Dennis Quaid decided to say farewell to his longtime Los Angeles abode, listing it for $5.2 million before cutting $500,000 from the asking price on Sept. 29.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Jim Carrey is bidding farewell to his sprawling Hawaii waterfront retreat, listing the tropical property for $35 million just days after tying the knot with his longtime partner, Min Ah.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
It also bids a "sad farewell to D-Day hero Henry Rice at 100".
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Julie Hesmondhalgh bade farewell to her fellow faithfuls, describing the show's reveal as "iconic"
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
When to start a conversation, and when to say farewell.
From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate
"Farewell old friend x," Larry posted on his X account, brushing aside rumours of rivalry between the pair.
From Barron's ● Feb. 15, 2026
Some 55 pilot whales washed up on Farewell Spit on Thursday.
From BBC ● Jan. 8, 2026
Farewell, Doctor: This week, Disney+ ended its three-year partnership with the BBC to stream “Doctor Who.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2025
Simon expected that too — he’d billed the event as his “Homeward Bound — Farewell Tour.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2025
But Galadriel said: ‘Not in Middle-earth, nor until the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again. Then in the willow-meads of Tasarinan we may meet in the Spring. Farewell!’
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Chinese users of AI-powered companion bots have bid heart-rending farewells to their virtual buddies as national regulations took effect Wednesday aimed at curbing the risk of emotional dependency.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
She has said final farewells to Porter Wagoner and her longtime singing partner, Kenny Rogers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
After hugs and farewells, they walk back out into the night, still unnoticed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025
He said his emotional farewells in front of the PSG 'ultras', but where next for the Italy keeper?
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2025
Once Jason had said his thank-yous and farewells, he opened the employee door to exit the building and found himself walking through his own front door.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
