farewell dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'farewell dinner' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when referring to a dinner held in honor of someone who is leaving, or in some cases, as a last meal eaten before a significant departure. For example, "My family and I hosted a farewell dinner to honor my aunt's retirement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lauer organized a farewell dinner for Touchet.

The New Yorker

(It was fine that night at our farewell dinner).

The New York Times - Sports

Farewell dinner with trainees and faculty from Muhimbili and Emory.

Yale University

But a farewell dinner first, if she were able.

The New Yorker

Some of them gathered in Midtown one more time on Wednesday evening for a farewell dinner.

The New York Times

In 1897, shortly before the team left for Spitsbergen again, Strindberg's father held a farewell dinner.

The New Yorker

Join the group for a Welcome reception and Farewell dinner during the week.

University of California, Berkeley

Back in Flagstaff, we may have a little free time before our farewell dinner.

Cornell University

Enjoy a farewell dinner in Szentendre this evening to celebrate the successful completion of your tour.

Cornell University

This evening celebrate your adventure at a festive farewell dinner aboard the ship.

Cornell University

Those bowls contained remnants of a beverage consumed at the farewell dinner outside the tomb.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add a touch of thoughtfulness, consider personalizing the dinner with small details that reflect the person's interests or accomplishments. A themed menu, a slideshow of memories, or a heartfelt speech can make the event more meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "farewell dinner" when the event is actually a general celebration or recognition event. Ensure the purpose is specifically to honor someone who is leaving a job, moving away, or retiring. Otherwise, consider terms like "celebration dinner" or "recognition banquet".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "farewell dinner" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It labels a specific type of event: a dinner held to honor someone's departure. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "farewell dinner" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a dinner held to honor someone's departure. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various contexts, as shown by the numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and Cornell University. While the register is generally neutral, ranging from formal to informal depending on the specific setting, the primary function is to label or commemorate an event. Related phrases include "goodbye dinner" and "send-off dinner". When using the phrase, ensure the event truly signifies a departure rather than a general celebration. As demonstrated through the analysis, "farewell dinner" is a versatile and widely understood term for marking a significant transition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goodbye dinner

Replaces "farewell" with "goodbye", a more direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

going-away dinner

Uses "going-away" to describe the dinner's purpose, indicating someone is leaving.

send-off dinner

Uses "send-off" to emphasize the act of bidding farewell and wishing someone well.

departure dinner

Replaces "farewell" with "departure", highlighting the act of leaving.

final dinner

Uses "final" to emphasize that it is the last dinner before someone leaves or something ends.

farewell luncheon

Substitutes "dinner" with "luncheon", indicating a meal held during the day instead of the evening.

adieu dinner

Replaces "farewell" with the French term "adieu", adding a slightly more formal or literary tone.

celebratory dinner

Shifts the focus to the celebratory aspect of the dinner, acknowledging a milestone or new chapter.

retirement dinner

Specifies the reason for the farewell, focusing on someone's retirement.

valedictory dinner

Substitutes "farewell" with "valedictory", a more formal and less common term.

FAQs

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

You can use "farewell dinner" to describe a meal organized to honor someone who is departing. For instance, "We hosted a "farewell dinner" for our colleague who is moving to another city."

What's another way to say "farewell dinner"?

Alternatives to "farewell dinner" include "goodbye dinner", "send-off dinner", or "going-away dinner".

Is "farewell dinner" formal or informal?

"Farewell dinner" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal settings, depending on the context and location of the dinner.

What's the difference between a "farewell dinner" and a retirement party?

A "farewell dinner" is a specific type of meal held to honor someone who is leaving a position or location, while a retirement party is a broader celebration of someone's retirement, which may or may not include a formal dinner.