farewell

USAGE SUMMARY

"farewell" is a valid and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to bid someone good-bye or to express a sad parting. For example: "Farewell, my friend. I will miss you."

✓ 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

Consider the emotional weight of "farewell"; it can imply a permanent or significant departure, so choose it carefully.

Common error

Avoid using "farewell" in everyday casual conversations where a simple "goodbye" or "see you later" is more appropriate. Overusing it can sound overly dramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "farewell" is multifaceted, serving as a noun, verb, adjective, and interjection, as noted in Ludwig. It expresses a wish of happiness at parting, an act of departure, a parting expression, or the act of bidding goodbye itself. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable word in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Music

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "farewell" is a versatile term that can function as a noun, verb, adjective, or interjection, primarily used to mark a departure. Ludwig AI confirms that the word "farewell" is valid and usable in English. While it is frequently used across a wide range of contexts, Ludwig's analysis of authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times shows that it is particularly prevalent in news and media, sport, and travel writing. While "farewell" is a very common word, it's important to be aware of the slightly more formal and sometimes more final tone it carries. Consider the context and audience when choosing it over a more casual "goodbye".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goodbye

A common and direct synonym for "farewell", often used in everyday situations.

adieu

A more formal and somewhat literary synonym for "farewell".

so long

An informal expression for "farewell", often used in casual settings.

see you later

A common and friendly way to say "farewell", implying a future meeting.

until next time

Suggests a future meeting, similar to "see you later" but slightly more formal.

parting

Emphasizes the act of leaving or separating.

valediction

A formal and ceremonial farewell, often used in speeches or writings.

send-off

Refers to an event or gathering to celebrate someone's departure.

Godspeed

An archaic expression wishing someone success and safety on their journey.

auf wiedersehen

German equivalent of "farewell"

FAQs

What is the difference between "farewell" and "goodbye"?

"Farewell" is generally considered more formal and carries a stronger sense of finality or emotion than the more common "goodbye". Use "farewell" when the parting is significant or possibly permanent.

When is it appropriate to use "farewell"?

"Farewell" is appropriate in formal situations, in writing, or when expressing a deep sense of parting. It can also be used ironically or humorously in casual contexts.

What are some synonyms for "farewell" that I can use in different contexts?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "goodbye", "adieu", "so long", "see you later", or "until next time".

Is "farewell" only used as a parting word?

No, "farewell" can also be used as a noun (a parting), a verb (to bid farewell), and an adjective (a farewell speech). For example, "The party was his farewell to his colleagues."