bid adieu

USAGE SUMMARY

'bid adieu' is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase "bid adieu" is used to signify an ending or farewell. For example, you could say, "After knowing each other for 10 years, we bade adieu in front of the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two lovers bid adieu.

The New York Times

We bid adieu to our dear friend of many years.

The New York Times

Despite a string of poor performances recently, Tendulkar bid adieu to his home audience in style.

The New York Times

Of course, they were simply joining multitudes who had already bid adieu to Bordeaux.

The New York Times - Food

Bid adieu to Bordeaux, but also, quite possibly, a hello to Chateau Yellowstone.

The Guardian

For now, we'll simply bid adieu with two of our favorite reader responses.

The New Yorker

In December, eagles bid adieu to Canada's frozen waters and head south.

The New York Times

Standing to bid adieu to the prince, he was waylaid by Robert Rabensteiner, the fashion editor of L'Uomo Vogue.

The New York Times

He contrasted CBS with ABC, which bid adieu to "Lost" in May and seeded no new hits since.

The New York Times

After that my wife and I bid adieu and came home, it being still a great frost.

The Guardian - Books

(He had bid adieu to filmmaking more than ten years earlier, after his Academy Award-winning "Fanny and Alexander").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bid adieu" when you want to add a touch of formality or elegance to your farewell, especially in writing.

Common error

Avoid using "bid adieu" in casual conversations or informal writing; simpler phrases like "say goodbye" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bid adieu" is as a verb phrase. It acts as a verb within a sentence, indicating the action of saying farewell. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to signify an ending or farewell.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bid adieu" is a verb phrase used to formally express farewell. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, primarily signifying an ending or farewell. While grammatically sound, it's best suited for neutral to formal writing contexts such as news and media, rather than casual conversation. Consider simpler alternatives like ""say goodbye"" or ""say farewell"" in informal settings. This phrase has a very common frequency and is mostly used in news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

say farewell

A more straightforward and common way to express the same sentiment.

say goodbye

The most common and general way to express leaving or parting.

take leave

A slightly more formal way of saying goodbye, implying departure.

take one's leave

Similar to "take leave" but emphasizes personal agency in departing.

take your leave

A slightly more courteous way to express the end of a pleasant company.

make an exit

Focuses on the act of leaving a place or situation.

wish farewell

Highlights the act of expressing good wishes upon departure.

part ways

Emphasizes the separation of paths or relationships.

see off

Implies accompanying someone to their point of departure.

send off

Implies organizing something in order to celebrate or wish someone well.

FAQs

What does "bid adieu" mean?

The phrase "bid adieu" means to say goodbye or farewell. It's a slightly formal or literary way to express parting.

How to use "bid adieu" in a sentence?

You can use "bid adieu" in sentences like, "After a wonderful evening, we bade adieu to our hosts" or "The team bid adieu to their coach as he left for another job".

What can I say instead of "bid adieu"?

You can use alternatives like "say goodbye", "say farewell", or "take leave" depending on the context.

Is "bid adieu" formal or informal?

"Bid adieu" is generally considered a formal way to say goodbye. In informal settings, it's more common to use simpler phrases like "goodbye".