farewell
gb/fˌɛɹwˈɛl/ us/fˌɛɹwˈɛl/
A2
English
~ 3400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
event
1
act of saying goodbye
The act of saying goodbye to someone.
Usage pattern:
to bid [someone] farewell
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'farewell' with 'fare' (price for travel) because they look similar.
Synonyms
goodbye (More common and informal in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
greeting (A word or action used when meeting someone, the opposite of parting.)
Collocations
bid farewell
|fond farewell
|farewell speech
|farewell party
|final farewell
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We gathered to bid her a fond farewell before she left for college.
- His farewell was brief, but heartfelt.
- The company held a farewell party for its retiring CEO.
- She whispered a quiet farewell as the train pulled away.
- They exchanged farewells at the airport gate.
Learner examples
- We said farewell to our teacher.
- I gave my friend a farewell hug.
- They had a farewell lunch together.
- We had a farewell party at work.
- She wrote a farewell note to her classmates.
interjection
B1
entity
2
goodbye expression
A formal word you say when you leave someone.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'farewell' in everyday conversation where 'goodbye' would sound more natural.
Synonyms
goodbye (More casual and common; 'farewell' sounds more formal or dramatic.)
Antonyms
hello (A word used when meeting someone, opposite of saying goodbye.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Farewell, my friend, until we meet again.
- "Farewell!" she called as the ship set sail.
- Farewell, and good luck on your journey.
- He waved and said, "Farewell."
Learner examples
- Farewell, see you soon.
- Farewell, my friend.
- Farewell, and take care.
- Farewell, everyone.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
to say goodbye
To say goodbye to someone when leaving them.
Usage pattern:
to farewell [someone]
Common mistake:
Many learners are unaware that 'farewell' can be used as a verb, especially in formal contexts in Australian or New Zealand English.
Synonyms
see off (More informal; often implies accompanying someone to their point of departure.)
Antonyms
welcome (To greet someone arriving, opposite of saying goodbye.)
Collocations
farewell guests
|farewelled the team
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They farewelled their guests at the door.
- The mayor farewelled the delegation at the airport.
- We farewelled our colleagues before moving to another city.
Learner examples
- I farewelled my parents at the station.
- They farewelled their friends after dinner.
- We farewelled our teacher at the end of school.
Grammar
Dictionary form
farewell
IPA
GB/fˌɛɹwˈɛl/
US/fˌɛɹwˈɛl/
Syllables & stress
farewell (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: farewell
- Plural: farewell, farewells
Word family
Forms
farewells
noun
Expressions
farewell party
1/fˌɛɹwˈɛl pˈɑɹti/
fixed phrase
goodbye gathering for someone leaving
A party for someone who is leaving a place or group.
Examples
- They organized a farewell party for her before she moved abroad.
- We had a farewell party at the office for our boss.
final farewell
1/fˈaɪnəl fˌɛɹwˈɛl/
fixed phrase
last goodbye before separation or death
The last time you say goodbye to someone before they leave forever or die.
Examples
- The family gathered to give him a final farewell.
- It was a final farewell before he moved overseas for good.
fond farewell
1/fˈɑnd fˌɛɹwˈɛl/
fixed phrase
warm affectionate goodbye
A loving and warm way of saying goodbye.
Examples
- He gave her a fond farewell before boarding the plane.
- We said our fond farewells at the station.
bid farewell
1/bˈɪd fˌɛɹwˈɛl/
fixed phrase
formal
say goodbye formally/politely
To say goodbye to someone in a polite or formal way.
Examples
- The president bid farewell to the departing ambassador.
- We gathered to bid farewell to our retiring teacher.
- We gathered to bid her farewell before she moved abroad.
- The ambassador bid farewell to the host country after three years of service.