farewell
/ˌfeəˈwel/ (bre, ipa) · [fˌɛrwˈɛl] /ˌferˈwel/ (ame, ipa) · [fˌɛrwˈɛl] /fer-ˈwel/ (ame, mw)
farewell — exclamation
1. used when leaving someone or ending a conversation, especially in a formal, hear
used when leaving someone or ending a conversation, especially in a formal, heartfelt, or permanent way — carrying more emotional weight than a simple 'goodbye'
Farewell, my friends in Kyoto — I shall think of you often.
exclamation used at parting; formal or heartfelt register
Farewell, old colleague — may your new journey bring you joy.
farewell + address to a person
The general turned to his troops and shouted, "Farewell!" before boarding the helicopter.
"Farewell!" Élise called from the taxi window as the car pulled away from the curb.
- hello
greeting at arrival, opposite of parting
用法筆記
More formal and emotionally heavier than 'goodbye'. Often used when the parting is long-term or permanent, or in ceremonial settings. Less common in everyday spoken English.
常見錯誤
farewell — noun
- farewellsingular
- farewellsplural
1. an event, ceremony, or moment when people say goodbye to someone who is leaving
an event, ceremony, or moment when people say goodbye to someone who is leaving — such as a party held for a colleague who is retiring or moving away
The whole office gathered for a farewell party when Bao retired after thirty years.
farewell + party (event collocation)
Haruto's farewell was surprisingly emotional; even the manager wiped a tear.
possessive: one's farewell (the event)
Kemi gave a short speech at the farewell dinner for the visiting professor.
Her colleagues held a quiet farewell at the station before Lakshmi boarded the train to Berlin.
- send-off
informal synonym; 'a great send-off' means a lively farewell event
- leave-taking
more formal and literary; focuses on the act of departing
文法句型
a farewell + noun (party/dinner/gift)
someone's farewell to + person/place
用法筆記
Often used as a modifier before another noun (farewell party, farewell speech, farewell dinner). The event sense focuses on the gathering or occasion itself, not on the words spoken.
2. the kind words, wishes, or messages people express to one another when they part
the kind words, wishes, or messages people express to one another when they part — used in fixed phrases like 'say one's farewells' or 'bid farewell'
Kasia said her farewells to each team member before flying to Toronto.
say your farewells + to [person/group]
Omar sent a farewell email to all his clients thanking them for their trust.
farewell as modifier before a communication noun
Anjali received many warm farewells from her neighbours when she moved to a new city.
The students wrote farewell messages in each other's yearbooks on the last day of school.
- greeting
words of welcome upon arrival, opposite of farewell wishes
文法句型
say your farewells (to someone)
bid someone farewell
make your farewells
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural 'farewells' when meaning the words or wishes themselves. The singular 'farewell' in this sense appears in the fixed expression 'to bid farewell' (formal).