farewell

imperative verb

fare·well | \fer-ˈwel

Definition of farewell

(Entry 1 of 4)

: get along well —used interjectionally to or by one departing

farewell

noun

fare·well | \fer-ˈwel

Definition of farewell (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a wish of well-being at parting : goodbye said their farewells and headed home

2a : an act of departure : leave-taking I will take my farewell of this place tomorrow.

b : a formal occasion honoring a person about to leave or retire held a great farewell for the retiring senator

farewell

verb

fare·well | \fer-ˈwel

Definition of farewell (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

chiefly Australia and New Zealand

: to bid farewell to

farewell

adjective

fare·well | \ˈfer-ˌwel

Definition of farewell (Entry 4 of 4)

: of or relating to leave-taking : final a farewell performance

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about farewell

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Examples of farewell in a Sentence

Noun

They said their farewells and headed home. the exchange student and her host family said their tearful farewells, promising to keep in touch

Verb

The retiring teacher was farewelled by the whole school at a special assembly.

Adjective

The band gave a farewell concert. the singer's farewell tour seemed to last almost as long as her entire career

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Croatia prevailed from the spot after misses from Fyodor Smolov and Mario Fernandes, whose dramatic extra-time equaliser had forced the shootout, saw Russia bid farewell with their heads held high and having wildly exceeded expectations. — SI.com, "Russia Coach Stanislav Cherchesov Proud of Achievement as Hosts Bow Out of World Cup," 8 July 2018 The time has come for Sarah Drew and Jessica Capshaw to bid farewell to their Grey’s Anatomy characters. — Christina Dugan, PEOPLE.com, "Why Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew Were Written Off Grey's Anatomy," 17 May 2018 Other cast members have been bidding farewell in recent weeks. — Kevin Kelleher, Fortune, "'Game of Thrones' Season 8 Has Ended Filming. Now a Winter of Waiting Begins," 9 July 2018 Joe Jackson, Father to Michael and Janet, Dies of Pancreatic Cancer at 89: Report Paris said farewell to the 89-year-old former music manager and father of 11 by sharing a poignant photograph of her holding his hand in his final moments of life. — Chelsea White, PEOPLE.com, "Paris Jackson Reveals Grandfather Joe's Final Moments, Pays Tribute to 'Legend That Started It All'," 28 June 2018 Before hiring a new superintendent Monday night, members of the Harford board of education said farewell to the woman who’s led the school system for the last four years and been part of it for more than 40. — Erika Butler, The Aegis, "Harford School Board members laud Canavan's contributions as superintendent," 14 June 2018 Gohl said the loss of the church means saying farewell to its decades of service to the surrounding community; service that continued with enthusiasm even as the neighborhood changed around it. — Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, "Closure of 166-year-old church in South Baltimore 'the end of an era in that corner of the kingdom'," 18 May 2018 It's been nearly one year since fans of The Vampire Diaries had to bid farewell to the supernatural happenings in Mystic Falls. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley Had a Vampire Diaries Reunion," 18 May 2018 The order keeps the franchise going at The CW, which this season is saying farewell to The Originals (after five seasons)and last year parted ways with The Vampire Diaries (after eight seasons). — Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Fall TV 2018: Watch Trailers for All the New Broadcast Shows (So Far)," 13 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

WWE SummerSlam's billed as Joe Louis Arena's last ticketed public event, gave metro Detroiters a chance to say farewell to the arena. — Deasia Paige, Detroit Free Press, "On this date: Joe Louis Arena dedication touched off lifetime of memories," 12 June 2018 Resnik, who graduated from C. Milton Wright High School May 25, gave emotional farewell remarks to his nine fellow board members and Superintendent Barbara Canavan during the board’s lengthy final meeting of the 2018-19 school year Monday night. — Allan Vought, The Aegis, "Harford School board student member Resnik bids farewell, says thanks," 13 June 2018 In June, a local business group hosted a farewell event, with tours led by a longtime employee. — Lauren Zumbach, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago's last Sears to close for good Sunday," 13 July 2018 Zsa Zsa’s family held a farewell ceremony for her in their back yard. — Alix Langone, Time, "Zsa Zsa, The World's Ugliest Dog, Has Died Just 9 Days After Securing Her Title," 10 July 2018 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates fired off a blistering attack on allied spending in his farewell remarks in 2011, for instance. — James Goldgeier, Washington Post, "President Trump goes to Europe this week. Its leaders are bracing for the impact.," 9 July 2018 However, Gilzean did briefly return to the public eye in 2017 to make an appearance at Tottenham's farewell event for White Hart Lane. — SI.com, "Tottenham Hotspur Release Statement as Club Legend Alan Gilzean Passes Away at 79," 8 July 2018 Gazzetta Dello Sport reported that Reina, 35, held a farewell party in a popular Naples nightclub owned by one of the Esposito brothers. — Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Reina, Cannavaro face Italian FA grilling over alleged mafia links," 22 May 2018 Owners Ken Hassett and David McFarlane posted a farewell message on social media, promising to keep fans apprised of their next endeavor. — Kara Baskin, BostonGlobe.com, "$3 empanadas in Union Square and a new roof deck opens in Salem," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'farewell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.