adieu

USAGE SUMMARY

"adieu" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an archaic term used to mean an emotional and/or mournful parting. An example sentence would be: "He sadly said his adieu and walked away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.34pm AEST12 34 Treasurer Wayne Swan bids the frontbench adieu Swan is addressing reporters.

The Guardian

A hopeful outcome A crucial choice A populist bids adieu, for now On top, as usual Is Silvio Berlusconi a liberal?

The Economist

Their tiny economies are already awash with American goods: They would love to claw back some sort of special status, offering privileged access for their exports—and protection at home.In this section The smaller neighbours Public health or church morality Au revoir, Mobutu Sese Seko or is it adieu?

The Economist

Today, oilfield service companies offer all the necessary technology and are increasingly willing to take on some of the same risks as an oil company, notes Marcel Brinkman of McKinsey.Still, it would be wildly premature to bid Exxon adieu.

The Economist

A sad adieu to Dominique Strauss-Kahn Georgia's not-so-great north road The price of power ReprintsNo longer.

The Economist

In the event, American stockmarkets did open lower, though not by as much as overseas markets had feared.In this section Another scandal, another scare Spreading risk Holey cow! Novelty knocks Big and bumbling Bidding adieu?

The Economist

That hurts.In this section Under pressure Armed with a strong yen Andrea's adieu Boeing bullied Big and clever ReprintsAreva is the world's only one-stop nuclear shop, selling everything from uranium to fuel recycling.

The Economist

No, his message was just the opposite: "Give generously and I might be able to pay my troops not to rob you".In this section The smaller neighbours Public health or church morality Au revoir, Mobutu Sese Seko or is it adieu?

The Economist

In a competitive market, inventions are quickly imitated, so a small inventor's investment often fails to pay off.In this section Under pressure Armed with a strong yen Andrea's adieu Boeing bullied Big and clever ReprintsThese days the second Schumpeter is out of fashion: people assume that little start-ups are creative and big firms are slow and bureaucratic.

The Economist

The deal, for an estimated ¥3 billion $40mm), brings the Japanese design and licensing firm 86 playful characters who have delighted toddlers in 30 countries and shifted 100m books.In this section Under pressure Armed with a strong yen Andrea's adieu Boeing bullied Big and clever ReprintsCorporate Japan is on an overseas shopping spree.

The Economist

As Federico Reyes Heroles, a pollster, notes, ordinary people in Mexico know who stands behind the PRI: asked who holds most power there, many respond "the president", but still more "the United States .In this section Teflon Winnie Anything you can do Awkward guest The mirage that won't go away The smaller neighbours Public health or church morality Au revoir, Mobutu Sese Seko or is it adieu?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adieu" sparingly, as it can sound archaic or overly dramatic in modern contexts. Reserve it for situations where a sense of finality or solemnity is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "adieu" in everyday goodbyes. Its formal and somewhat dramatic tone can sound out of place in casual conversations, making you appear pretentious or overly theatrical.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adieu" is as an interjection, used to express a farewell. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing it functions as a way to bid someone goodbye, often with a sense of finality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adieu" is a French-derived interjection used to express farewell, often with a sense of finality or emotion. While grammatically correct, as noted by Ludwig, it is less common in contemporary English and carries a formal register. Its usage is predominantly found in News & Media sources, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples. When choosing to use "adieu", consider the context and the desired level of formality, as it can sound dramatic or archaic in casual settings. Alternatives such as "farewell" or "goodbye" might be more appropriate for everyday use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Farewell

A formal and literary term for goodbye, conveying a sense of finality or distance.

Goodbye

The most common and neutral way to say farewell.

So long

An informal expression for goodbye, suggesting a less formal parting.

See you later

A casual farewell, implying a future meeting.

Auf wiedersehen

German for goodbye, often used to sound sophisticated or cultured.

Au revoir

French for goodbye, similar in usage to "auf wiedersehen".

Sayonara

Japanese for goodbye, implying a longer separation than other farewells.

Addio

Italian for goodbye, often used to convey a more dramatic or emotional farewell.

Adios

Spanish for goodbye, similar in tone to "addio".

Aloha

Hawaiian for both hello and goodbye, providing a warm and friendly sendoff.

FAQs

What does "adieu" mean?

"Adieu" is a French word that means "goodbye". It is often used to express a final or emotional farewell.

When is it appropriate to use "adieu"?

It is appropriate to use "adieu" when you want to convey a sense of finality or emotional farewell. It is more formal than a simple "goodbye".

What are some alternatives to saying "adieu"?

Some alternatives to saying "adieu" include "farewell", "goodbye", "so long", or "see you later" depending on the context.

Is "adieu" still commonly used in English?

While "adieu" is a recognized word, it is not as commonly used as other farewells like "goodbye" or "farewell". Its usage often lends a sense of formality or dramatic flair.