farewell

¹ American  

[fair-wel] / ˌfɛərˈwɛl /

interjection

1. goodbye; may you fare well.

   Farewell, and may we meet again in happier times.

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noun

1. an expression of good wishes at parting.

   They made their farewells and left.

2. leave-taking; departure.

   a fond farewell.

3. a party given to a person who is about to embark on a long journey, retire, leave an organization, etc.

adjective

1. parting; valedictory; final.

   a farewell performance.

Farewell ² American  

[fair-wel] / ˌfɛərˈwɛl /

noun

1. Cape, a cape in S Greenland: most southerly point of Greenland.

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farewell British  

/ ˌfɛəˈwɛl /

1. goodbye; adieu

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noun

1. a parting salutation

2. an act of departure; leave-taking

3. (modifier) expressing leave-taking

   a farewell speech

verb

1. to honour (a person) at his departure, retirement, etc

Etymology

Origin of farewell

First recorded in 1325–75, farewell is from the Middle English word farwel. See fare, well ¹

Example Sentences

“Well, think of it as a farewell tour.”

From Literature

While I’m sad to say farewell to Park City, it’s time to stretch my own knees and go home.

From Los Angeles Times

All week I’d agonized about what movie would be my emotionally laden farewell salute.

From Los Angeles Times

“There is no way to know. But it smells as if it grows near the end. So bid farewell to your lion faces.”

From Literature

“I do understand Colin’s struggle with farewells. But for us, Lizzie, this is not goodbye forever. It’s just goodbye for now.”

From Literature

Related Words

• adieu
• bon voyage
• goodbye