Farewell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Farewell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a way to say goodbye, often in a formal or emotional context. Example: "As we part ways after many years of friendship, I want to wish you all the best. Farewell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There were lots and lots of farewell parties".

The Guardian

'Take this farewell present, a gift from my wife,' he said.

The Guardian - Travel

Avoid debate of key British foreign policy issues that might be exploited by terrorists: farewell to defending international law enshrining the right to resist colonialism and foreign military occupation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even as Idol prepares to say farewell, its enduring effect on the pop culture landscape – and specifically in country music – will be felt for as long as its alumni continue to succeed.

The Guardian - Music

This is Castell de Peralada, a 13th-century castle in Catalonia where, as part of the town's annual arts festival, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club will this evening make a stop on their farewell tour, nearly 20 years after they began.

The Guardian - Music

Their season is now gone and maybe another bright young hope looms in the draft, but the next six weeks are now also a bittersweet farewell tour for a most humble and respected champion.

The Guardian - Sport

Overall, the underlying feeling coming out of Australia's farewell match is that the performance was disjointed and the Socceroos gave the ball away too cheaply and too frequently.

The Guardian - Sport

With or without him, a summer of upheaval beckons, but this was a farewell best forgotten for some valiant servants.

The Guardian - Sport

9.45am: Terry's farewell... "This is it then this is the day I have been dreading, the morning when you and I come to the parting of the ways, the last Wake Up To Wogan.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

8.40am: There is no truth in the rumour that Rage Against The Machine are going to sing a farewell song at the end of today's show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Chelsea hope to confirm Juan Cuadrado's arrival from Fiorentina, subject to the player passing a medical and gaining international clearance, for an initial fee of around £23.3m over the weekend after the Colombia international visited the Viola's training ground to bid farewell to his team-mates.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Farewell" when you want to convey a sense of finality or formality in your goodbye. It's suitable for situations where you might not see the person again for a long time, or when you want to add a touch of gravitas to the moment.

Common error

Avoid using "Farewell" in everyday, casual situations. Saying "Farewell" to a colleague you see daily can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic. Stick to more casual alternatives like "Goodbye" or "See you later" in these instances.

Linguistic Context

Farewell primarily functions as an interjection to express a parting or goodbye, often with a sense of finality. As shown in Ludwig, it can also function as a noun, adjective or verb. It is frequently used to mark a significant departure or ending.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Music

15%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Farewell" is a versatile term used primarily as an interjection to signify goodbye, often carrying a sense of formality or finality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples of its use as a noun, adjective, and verb. While suitable for formal contexts, it should be used sparingly in casual situations. Alternatives include "goodbye", "adieu", and "see you later", depending on the desired level of formality and emotional tone. This analysis, based on a wide range of sources, highlights the importance of choosing the right expression to convey the appropriate sentiment when parting ways.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Goodbye

A common and direct way of saying farewell.

Adieu

A more formal or dramatic way of saying farewell.

So long

An informal way to say goodbye.

See you later

Implies a future meeting, less final than "Farewell".

Take care

Expresses concern for the other person's well-being upon departure.

Have a good day

Wishes the person well for the remainder of the day as they part.

Best wishes

Offers general good tidings upon departure.

Godspeed

A more formal and archaic expression wishing someone success and safety.

Until we meet again

Suggests a future reunion, making the farewell less permanent.

Peace out

A very informal and slangy way to say goodbye.

FAQs

How to use "Farewell" in a sentence?

"Farewell" can be used as an interjection (a simple goodbye), a noun (referring to a parting), an adjective (describing a final event), or a verb (to bid goodbye). Example: "He said "Farewell!" and left." (interjection), "The farewell party was a success." (noun), "a farewell address" (adjective), "She farewelled her friends at the airport." (verb).

What can I say instead of "Farewell"?

You can use alternatives like "goodbye", "adieu", "so long", or "see you later" depending on the context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "Farewell"?

"Farewell" is most appropriate in formal or emotional situations, or when indicating a permanent departure. It's often used when a long period of time may pass before seeing someone again, or when the parting is significant.

Is "Farewell" more formal than "Goodbye"?

Yes, "Farewell" generally carries a more formal and sometimes more emotional weight than "goodbye". "Goodbye" is a standard, everyday parting, while "Farewell" suggests a deeper or more permanent separation.