English · Greetings & Phrases
farewell
/ˌfɛəˈwɛl/
[/ˌfɛəˈwɛl/]
formal goodbye
Intermediateinterjection
Definition
A formal or literary word used to say goodbye, often when parting for a long time.
Example
They held a farewell dinner for the colleague who was moving abroad next month.
They held a farewell dinner for the colleague who was moving abroad next month.
Etymology
From the phrase "fare well," meaning travel well or prosper.
How & Where It’s Used
More formal and emotional than "goodbye," common in writing and ceremonies.
Cultural Note
Shakespeare used "farewell" hundreds of times across his plays.