bade farewell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bade farewell" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the action of saying goodbye or departing. For example, "He bade farewell to his friends and headed off for his next adventure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although the axe that had long hovered over his neck, blade glistening, still hadn't fallen, he was sure it would be along presently and so he bade farewell to them before they bade farewell to him.

The Guardian - Sport

Alla bade farewell.

The New York Times

Thus we bade farewell to an era.

The New Yorker

we bade farewell to the Beardmore Glacier".

The New Yorker

Rampling finished her tea, bade farewell, and left.

The New Yorker

Unknowingly, the ants bade farewell to their mother.

The New Yorker

He bade farewell to this life on Christmas Day 1946.

The New York Times

That was not forthcoming and Hill bade farewell to his own astonishing creation.

Independent

He bade farewell to his assistant with a hearty high handshake, heading towards the carpark.

The Guardian - Sport

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar bade farewell as Detroit swept the Lakers in the 1989 finals.

The New York Times - Sports

She bade farewell to innocence that night, and to the child she would never be again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the audience and context. "Bade farewell" is more formal than "said goodbye" and may not be suitable for all situations.

Common error

Avoid using "bade farewell" too frequently in modern contexts, as it can sound stilted or unnatural. Balance its use with more common alternatives like "said goodbye" or "left" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bade farewell" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a verb with a direct object, indicating the action of saying goodbye. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, emphasizing its role in narrative and descriptive writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bade farewell" is a grammatically correct phrase frequently used to express the act of saying goodbye. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers various real-world examples. While functional across diverse contexts, it resonates particularly well in formal or narrative settings, as indicated by its frequent appearance in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When aiming for contemporary or informal communications, alternative phrases like "said goodbye" or "left" might be more appropriate. Overall, "bade farewell" remains a valuable option for writers seeking a touch of tradition or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

said goodbye

Direct synonym, replacing archaic "bade" with modern "said".

said their goodbyes

Emphasizes a plural subject saying goodbye.

took their leave

Formal synonym for "took leave", indicating a departure.

took leave

Formal alternative, emphasizes the act of departing.

wished farewell

Focuses on the act of wishing someone well upon departure.

departed

A more formal and general way of saying goodbye or leaving.

parted ways

Focuses on the separation aspect of saying goodbye.

made their exit

Formal and somewhat theatrical way of saying goodbye.

waved goodbye

Specifies the action of waving while saying goodbye.

left

Simple and direct, indicating departure without the formality.

FAQs

What does "bade farewell" mean?

"Bade farewell" is an archaic way of saying "said goodbye". It indicates the act of saying goodbye or departing from someone or something.

What can I say instead of "bade farewell"?

You can use alternatives like "said goodbye", "took leave", or "parted ways" depending on the context.

Is "bade farewell" formal or informal?

"Bade farewell" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "said goodbye". It is often used in literature or historical contexts.

How do you use "bade farewell" in a sentence?

Example sentences include: "He "bade farewell" to his colleagues before retiring", or "The team "bade farewell" to their coach after the season ended".