pay farewell

USAGE SUMMARY

"pay farewell" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom that has a literal meaning of offering money in parting company, but it is usually used figuratively to mean "express good wishes upon parting." For example: We gathered together to pay farewell to our outgoing colleague who was moving away.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I will be paying farewell calls at the beginning of the week," Alvaro de Soto, the envoy, said at a news conference.

The New York Times

He carries away his son, paying farewell to his wife's corpse and flees the slum.

Wikipedia

NEXT week Jiang Zemin will leave behind a simmering power struggle at home to pay a farewell trip to the United States as China's president.

The Economist

Perhaps the man is paying a farewell visit to a favorite spot for meditation.

The New Yorker

Writer paid a farewell visit to Johnny Carson, who is now in his 10th year as the host of the show.

The New Yorker

Margaret Sanger nursed her for several weeks, saw her through; finally came the day when the doctor paid his farewell visit.

The New Yorker

In 1996, when Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, the archbishop of Chicago, was dying of cancer, he paid a farewell visit to the pope.

The New York Times

But his illness did not prevent him from paying a farewell visit in February to a frail Pope John Paul II in Rome.

The New York Times

But others are working closely alongside each other too: when David Laws quit as chief secretary to the Treasury not much more than a fortnight into the government's life, George Osborne paid a farewell tribute that suggested the two had rapidly become the closest of comrades.

The Guardian

On Feb. 10, the cardinal paid a farewell visit to a frail and aging Pope John Paul II in Rome, and in a recent letter to New York's bishops, the cardinal said he expected the pope to name his successor as archbishop of New York in March.

The New York Times

In the last few days of his life, the Doctor pays a farewell visit to his old friend Craig, and encounters a mystery, as the time-travelling drama continues.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "bid farewell" or "say goodbye" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "pay farewell" in informal contexts; it can sound overly formal or archaic. Opt for simpler, more conversational alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay farewell" functions as a verbal expression used to describe the act of offering good wishes or bidding goodbye to someone. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates it is not as frequently used as its alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "pay farewell" is not commonly used in contemporary English. Ludwig's analysis confirms its relative rarity compared to alternatives like "bid farewell" or "say goodbye". It functions as a verbal expression for offering good wishes or acknowledging a departure, but its formal tone may not be suitable for all contexts. Writers should consider using more common alternatives for clearer and more impactful communication. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically acceptable, but its infrequency suggests careful consideration of context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bid farewell

A more common and direct way to say goodbye.

say goodbye

A very common and simple way to express parting.

offer a farewell

Similar to "pay farewell" but emphasizes the act of offering well wishes.

extend a farewell

Highlights the action of giving or offering a farewell.

express farewell wishes

More elaborate, emphasizing the expression of good wishes.

give a send-off

Focuses on the event or act of sending someone off.

wish farewell

A simple alternative focusing on the act of wishing someone well.

present a valediction

A formal and literary way to say farewell.

impart a farewell

Emphasizes the communication aspect of saying goodbye.

offer parting words

Highlights the spoken aspect of saying farewell.

FAQs

What does it mean to "pay farewell" to someone?

To "pay farewell" means to express good wishes or bid goodbye to someone who is leaving or departing, although this phrasing is less common than alternatives like "say goodbye" or "bid farewell".

Is it more appropriate to say "pay farewell" or "bid farewell"?

"Bid farewell" is generally more common and widely accepted. "Pay farewell" can sound slightly archaic or overly formal.

What are some alternatives to "pay farewell" in professional settings?

In professional settings, consider using phrases like "wish someone well", "offer best wishes", or simply ""say goodbye"".

How can I use "pay farewell" in a sentence?

While "pay farewell" is grammatically correct, it is less commonly used. A possible sentence could be: "We gathered to pay farewell to our colleague before her move overseas."