1
: a wish of well-being at parting : goodbye
said their farewells and headed home
2
a
: 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
: of or relating to leave-taking : final
a farewell performance
Synonyms
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
Spin Staff, SPIN, 19 Mar. 2024
At the Jewish Museum talk this month, as security guards escorted one group of activists out, Cherkassky bade them farewell with an expletive.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024
The Detroit News captured video at that practice of Bagley and Livers bidding teammates farewell after learning of the deal.
—Tim Reynolds, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
With this devastating first section of its final chapter, Netflix’s crown jewel bids farewell to an icon, and retakes its throne.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
Giant pandas arrive in China after 23 years in D.C.
National Zoo bids farewell to beloved pandas returning to China after 23 years in U.S.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
During the past few weeks, visitors like Josh and Shelley have come to the zoo to say farewell and recall the role the giant pandas played in their lives.
—Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023
But the memorial was also a homecoming and farewell from those who knew her best.
—Helen Li, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Look no further than the LCD Soundsystem farewell tour (and The Long Goodbye live album and Shut Up and Play the Hits documentary) as proof.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2023
Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Its last day will be Sunday, April 21, according to a farewell sign posted on the door at 1401 Alhambra Blvd.
—Savanna Smith, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024
Aerosmith has announced its farewell tour is back on and will continue through 2025.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
All of them are now embarked on their respective farewell tours.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
The iconic hotel also shared a farewell post of their own on Wednesday.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Conga Room farewell celebration Iconic L.A. Latin entertainment venue The Conga Room officially closed its doors on Wednesday, spending its last night with a farewell celebration hosted by co-investor Jimmy Smits, co-investor Paul Rodriguez and founder Brad Gluckstein.
—Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
The current Foreigner lineup is in the midst of a farewell tour that will likely go into 2025.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
When both men contract COVID-19, David is faulted for the cancellation of Springsteen’s final stop on his farewell tour and must face the ire of his fans.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2024
Spin Staff, SPIN, 19 Mar. 2024
At the Jewish Museum talk this month, as security guards escorted one group of activists out, Cherkassky bade them farewell with an expletive.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024
The Detroit News captured video at that practice of Bagley and Livers bidding teammates farewell after learning of the deal.
—Tim Reynolds, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
During the past few weeks, visitors like Josh and Shelley have come to the zoo to say farewell and recall the role the giant pandas played in their lives.
—Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023
Giant pandas arrive in China after 23 years in D.C.
National Zoo bids farewell to beloved pandas returning to China after 23 years in U.S.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
With this devastating first section of its final chapter, Netflix’s crown jewel bids farewell to an icon, and retakes its throne.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
But the memorial was also a homecoming and farewell from those who knew her best.
—Helen Li, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Look no further than the LCD Soundsystem farewell tour (and The Long Goodbye live album and Shut Up and Play the Hits documentary) as proof.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2023
Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
After the 22-year-old basketball star played the final game of her collegiate career on April 7, Clark posted a farewell tribute to her iconic Iowa Hawkeyes jersey on Instagram Stories.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
The Oakland Athletics have a farewell date: Sept. 29, 2024.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Yankee talked about the new chapter of his life during his farewell concert in Puerto Rico in December, part of four back-to-back shows called La Meta (The Goal).
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2024
Collins has endured much adversity over the years, battling a number of health issues including rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis, and announced in January that this would be her farewell season.
—Issy Ronald, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Gloria Molina’s farewell message to L.A.: Don’t be corrupt
March 25, 2023
Molina forged ahead, beating Polanco in the 1983 Democratic primary on her way to victory.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Redondo posted a farewell message to Argentinos Juniors fans on his Instagram account.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024
Interviews:Before Katy Perry's farewell season of 'American Idol,' judges spill show secrets
When is the 'American Idol' Season 22 premiere?
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024
Imperative verb
The series chronicles the journey from the fest’s origins as a Jane’s Addiction farewell tour to its becoming a cultural phenomenon.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 19 Mar. 2024
At the Jewish Museum talk this month, as security guards escorted one group of activists out, Cherkassky bade them farewell with an expletive.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024
The Detroit News captured video at that practice of Bagley and Livers bidding teammates farewell after learning of the deal.
—Tim Reynolds, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
With this devastating first section of its final chapter, Netflix’s crown jewel bids farewell to an icon, and retakes its throne.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
Giant pandas arrive in China after 23 years in D.C.
National Zoo bids farewell to beloved pandas returning to China after 23 years in U.S.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
During the past few weeks, visitors like Josh and Shelley have come to the zoo to say farewell and recall the role the giant pandas played in their lives.
—Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023
But the memorial was also a homecoming and farewell from those who knew her best.
—Helen Li, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Look no further than the LCD Soundsystem farewell tour (and The Long Goodbye live album and Shut Up and Play the Hits documentary) as proof.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2023
Noun
There’s no big farewell bash planned; the taproom and beer garden already had been closed the previous few days for electrical repairs.
—Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Its last day will be Sunday, April 21, according to a farewell sign posted on the door at 1401 Alhambra Blvd.
—Savanna Smith, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024
Aerosmith has announced its farewell tour is back on and will continue through 2025.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
All of them are now embarked on their respective farewell tours.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
The iconic hotel also shared a farewell post of their own on Wednesday.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Conga Room farewell celebration Iconic L.A. Latin entertainment venue The Conga Room officially closed its doors on Wednesday, spending its last night with a farewell celebration hosted by co-investor Jimmy Smits, co-investor Paul Rodriguez and founder Brad Gluckstein.
—Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
The current Foreigner lineup is in the midst of a farewell tour that will likely go into 2025.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
When both men contract COVID-19, David is faulted for the cancellation of Springsteen’s final stop on his farewell tour and must face the ire of his fans.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2024
Verb
The series chronicles the journey from the fest’s origins as a Jane’s Addiction farewell tour to its becoming a cultural phenomenon.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 19 Mar. 2024
At the Jewish Museum talk this month, as security guards escorted one group of activists out, Cherkassky bade them farewell with an expletive.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024
The Detroit News captured video at that practice of Bagley and Livers bidding teammates farewell after learning of the deal.
—Tim Reynolds, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
During the past few weeks, visitors like Josh and Shelley have come to the zoo to say farewell and recall the role the giant pandas played in their lives.
—Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023
Giant pandas arrive in China after 23 years in D.C.
National Zoo bids farewell to beloved pandas returning to China after 23 years in U.S.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
With this devastating first section of its final chapter, Netflix’s crown jewel bids farewell to an icon, and retakes its throne.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
But the memorial was also a homecoming and farewell from those who knew her best.
—Helen Li, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Look no further than the LCD Soundsystem farewell tour (and The Long Goodbye live album and Shut Up and Play the Hits documentary) as proof.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2023
Adjective
The farewell show in Coventry, Vt., grossed almost $9 million, but the guitarist remembers a more dizzying number — the 3,000 friends on the guest list for the out-of-control backstage festivities.
—Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
After the 22-year-old basketball star played the final game of her collegiate career on April 7, Clark posted a farewell tribute to her iconic Iowa Hawkeyes jersey on Instagram Stories.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
The Oakland Athletics have a farewell date: Sept. 29, 2024.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Yankee talked about the new chapter of his life during his farewell concert in Puerto Rico in December, part of four back-to-back shows called La Meta (The Goal).
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2024
Collins has endured much adversity over the years, battling a number of health issues including rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis, and announced in January that this would be her farewell season.
—Issy Ronald, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Gloria Molina’s farewell message to L.A.: Don’t be corrupt
March 25, 2023
Molina forged ahead, beating Polanco in the 1983 Democratic primary on her way to victory.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Redondo posted a farewell message to Argentinos Juniors fans on his Instagram account.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024
Interviews:Before Katy Perry's farewell season of 'American Idol,' judges spill show secrets
When is the 'American Idol' Season 22 premiere?
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'farewell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near farewell
Cite this Entry
“Farewell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/farewell. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
farewell
1 of 3 imperative verb
fare·well
fa(ə)r-ˈwel 
fe(ə)r-
: get along well
—used to or by one departing
farewell
2 of 3 noun1
: an expression of good wishes at parting : good-bye
2
: an act of departure
farewell
3 of 3 adjective
fare·well
ˌfa(ə)r-ˌwel,
ˌfe(ə)r-
: of or relating to a time or act of leaving : final
a farewell concert
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