Wish farewell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Wish farewell" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in a poetic or formal context when expressing a desire for someone to have a good departure. Example: "As the train pulled away, I stood on the platform to wish farewell to my dear friend."

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sarah has been a tremendous contributor to the UCMP in the lab, the collections, and the public outreach program.The Padian lab wish farewell to Liz Ferrer in 2015 as she finished her PhD and is now a postdoctoral scholar at the American Museum of Natural History in New York with Amy Balanoff and Mark Norell.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But let's face it: we'd all be wishing farewell to that awkward guest who came to the party, but then announced shortly afterwards that they wanted to leave.

Independent

Many of them teenagers from war-ravaged Afghanistan and Sudan's Darfur region, they hugged and wished farewell to companions and charity workers before boarding awaiting buses.

HuffPost

Bless it, wish it farewell, take an axe to it.

Independent

Lots of people turned out in Sussex to wish him farewell".

The Guardian

In the tale "Why the Years Are Named for Animals," the Buddha asks everyone to come wish him farewell because he is about to die.

The New York Times - Arts

Jul. 14 2004 - On the last day for Anita's being our group adminstrative support officer, we got togather to wish her farewell and good luck for her dissertation writing.

Columbia University

"Have a magical day!" is the way Disney cast members wish you farewell.

HuffPost

Glendale Arts CEO Elissa Glickman played hostess to the guest of honor and those coming to wish her farewell.

Los Angeles Times

At the airport, a group of her friends and associates, including Guy, are present to wish her farewell as she leaves.

Wikipedia

The final scene of the book is at the Accra airport, with Angelou surrounded by Guy and her friends as they wish her farewell.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "bid farewell" or "say goodbye" for clarity and wider acceptance, especially in informal contexts. The phrase "wish farewell" is more appropriate in poetic or formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "wish farewell" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or unnatural in those settings. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wish farewell" functions as a performative utterance, where the act of wishing accompanies the expression of parting. Ludwig indicates that it's less common, suggesting it's a deliberate choice for formality or emphasis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wish farewell" is a grammatically acceptable but less common and more formal way to express goodbyes. Ludwig indicates that simpler alternatives like "bid farewell" or "say goodbye" are generally preferred in contemporary English. Its usage is best suited for formal writing or when aiming for a poetic tone. While understandable, the phrase might sound stilted in everyday conversation. Ensure you're aiming for a formal tone when using "wish farewell". Ludwig's analysis underscores the importance of considering the context and audience when choosing between different ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bid farewell

More formal and traditional way of saying goodbye.

Say goodbye

Most common and neutral way to express parting.

Express goodbyes

Directly conveys the act of saying goodbye.

Extend parting wishes

Focuses on the wishes given at departure.

Offer one's adieus

Highly formal and somewhat archaic.

Take one's leave

Formal way of announcing departure.

See someone off

Highlights the act of accompanying someone to their departure point.

Part ways

Focuses on the act of separating from someone.

Give a send-off

Implies an organized event to celebrate someone's departure.

Wish Godspeed

An archaic way to wish someone success on a journey.

FAQs

What's a more common way to express "wish farewell"?

More common alternatives include "bid farewell" or "say goodbye", which are widely understood and suitable for most situations.

Is "wish farewell" grammatically incorrect?

No, "wish farewell" is not grammatically incorrect, but it's less frequently used in contemporary English. It might sound more formal or poetic.

How does the formality of "wish farewell" compare to "say goodbye"?

"Wish farewell" is generally more formal than "say goodbye". The latter is a neutral expression suitable for almost any context, while the former is more suited for formal or literary contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "wish farewell" instead of "bid farewell"?

While both are formal, "bid farewell" is the more commonly used of the two. "Wish farewell" can be used if you are intentionally aiming for a slightly elevated or poetic tone.