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

After Leah says hi to Aesha — who is eating noodles and doing a face mask with no pants on in her cabin, like any reasonable person after a long day of work — the captain and her wife bid adieu to the Bravado for now. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026

Véronique Nichanian is finally bidding adieu to Hermès. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026

Without any further adieu, read our Q&A, below. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026

But who wants to bid adieu to that twinkling gilmmer during the darkest, coldest months? —Heather Bien, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 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