farewell
interjection
goodbye; may you fare well.
Showing results for farewell.
Search instead for
farewelling.
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Three Chicarrones"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for July 8–July 14, 2023
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
Tenerife will also open their home ground on Saturday evening to allow supporters to "bid a fitting farewell".
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
I saw Glen’s farewell tour at the Hollywood Bowl.
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 had been nearly two months since Penelope had bid her friend farewell at the train station.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
"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
Aerosmith announced its decision to step away from live performances after Tyler injured his vocal cords during a September 2023 show on the group’s Peace Out: The Farewell Tour.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 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
I lean back in my chair and add, “We also know that Quinton discovered the Key Holder’s identity. I think that’s what he’s keeping in that second Farewell Briefcase.”
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
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
The aim of her "Farewell video" project, she says, is to help people cope with "unfinished farewells" and give them a chance to "embrace" husbands, parents and children again.
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026
It is also a time of farewells, when school graduates leave their hometown while many corporate professionals receive assignments in new cities.
From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026
She has said final farewells to Porter Wagoner and her longtime singing partner, Kenny Rogers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
Estraven took leave of me and turned away; he was never fulsome in his greetings and farewells.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
