adieu

noun

ə-ˈdü 

a-, 

-ˈdyü

plural adieus or adieux ə-ˈdüz 

a-, 

-ˈdyüz

: an expression of good wishes when someone leaves : goodbye

a heartfelt adieu

bid his teammates adieu

—often used interjectionally

Adieu, my friends!

Synonyms of adieu

• farewell

Examples of adieu in a Sentence

we bid our adieus and were off

Recent Examples on the Web

John Updike couldn’t come up with a more appropriate way to bid the Cubs’ regular season adieu. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

John Stewart’s exasperated adieu to his alien abductors doubles as a meta acknowledgement of Episode 2’s exposition-heavy plotting. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Aug. 2026

While bidding adieu to dirty diapers is something most parents look forward to (and some actively long for), navigating the murky waters of potty training can be intimidating, nevertheless. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Final voting for the 78th Emmys is now underway, which means The Envelope is bidding adieu to the TV awards season — and already gearing up for the film one. — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French a deu, a dieu, literally, "to God"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for adieu

• deux
• milieu

Kids Definition

adieu

noun

ə-ˈd(y)ü 

a-

plural adieus or adieux -ˈd(y)üz 

: farewell entry 2 sense 1

—often used interjectionally

Etymology

Middle English adieu "farewell," from early French adieu (same meaning), from a Dieu, literally "(I commit you) to God," from Latin Deus "God" — related to adios, deity