English Reference
noun · adjective · verb

farewell

n. · adj. · v.
US /ˌfɛɹˈwɛɫ/ UK /feəwˈɛl/ farewell UK spelling farewelled, farewelling, farewells

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the act of saying goodbye or a party held for someone who is leaving.

    n.an occasion or act of saying goodbye, often marked by a formal ceremony or social gathering.

    Simple

    The office organized a small farewell for Sarah before she moved to Spain.

    In context

    The retiring professor gave a moving farewell to his colleagues, reflecting on four decades of academic service.

    goodbyepartingsend off
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.describing something that happens as someone is leaving, like a final speech or concert.

    adj.serving as a final or parting act; valedictory in nature.

    Simple

    The band is playing their farewell concert in London tonight.

    In context

    The diplomat's farewell address focused on the importance of maintaining international cooperation in the coming decade.

    finalpartingvaledictory
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency FormalDialect

    v.to say goodbye to someone.

    v.to bid farewell to someone; to perform the act of saying goodbye.

    Simple

    We gathered at the airport to farewell our friends as they moved abroad.

    In context

    The community gathered at the docks to farewell the sailors before their year-long expedition began.

    Usage

    Common in Australian and New Zealand English as a transitive verb; elsewhere, it is often replaced by 'say goodbye to'.

    see offbid goodbye

In a farewell message to City fans, Rodri said: "I am leaving the club with a huge sense of pride about what we have achieved and gratitude too for so many amazing memories.

BBC News· 18 Aug 2026

But South American football writer Tim Vickery said an official farewell in Argentina could be on the cards.

BBC News· 31 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated