farewell
interjection
goodbye; may you fare well.
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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:
They can carry memories the characters suppress and consequences they cannot foresee; the orchestra can reinforce a boast, expose a lie or transform a farewell into a prophecy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
It was an end-of-relationship song, but in his sense I was overlaying the idea that this could be career-related in some way — he could be getting ready to cut his farewell album or something.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
Salon: A lot of coverage cited what you said in your farewell message for your last weekend show.
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026
It wasn’t a campaign event; it was his farewell show.
From Slate ● Nov. 2, 2026
Our dinner was followed by farewell toasts and goodbyes as the generals and dignitaries drifted to the hotel lobby.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
"Farewell old friend x," Larry posted on his X account, brushing aside rumours of rivalry between the pair.
From Barron's ● Feb. 15, 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
The band's Final Farewell Tour runs from 14 June and will end with a performance on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury on 27 June.
From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2025
“You must be off, my dear. They’ll be waiting for you to take your place in the centre. Farewell, till your next Birthday.”
From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers
After being asked by King Charles III to form the next government, Burnham, 56, is due to make his first speech Monday outside 10 Downing Street shortly after Starmer has said his farewells.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
And his lament over the pain of farewells likely will be felt by many of the athletes gathering Sunday for the Olympic closing ceremony at Arena di Verona, a 1st century Roman amphitheater.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 22, 2026
She has said final farewells to Porter Wagoner and her longtime singing partner, Kenny Rogers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
"She's talking to us about life after she's gone. She's started to do her farewells."
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2025
Tyrion looked down upon the farewells from the high deck of King Robert’s Hammer, a great war galley of four hundred oars.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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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.
