English Reference

Phrasal verb

see off

Definition

phrasal verb. to go to a place like an airport or station to say goodbye to someone who is leaving. You do this to show you care before they start their journey.

phrasal verb. to accompany a departing person to their point of exit to bid them farewell. The verb is transitive and frequently used in travel contexts.

Examples

“My parents came to the airport to see me off.”

“We all went down to the train station to see off our friend who was moving to London for a new job.”

“The entire village gathered at the harbor to see off the fishing fleet, a tradition that had remained unchanged for centuries.”

Examples

simple

“My parents came to the airport to see me off.”

contextual

“We all went down to the train station to see off our friend who was moving to London for a new job.”

complex

“The entire village gathered at the harbor to see off the fishing fleet, a tradition that had remained unchanged for centuries.”

Usage

The person leaving usually sits between 'see' and 'off', especially if you use a pronoun like 'him' or 'them'.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'drop off', which focuses on the transport, whereas 'see off' focuses on the social act of saying goodbye.

Pitfall

I went to the airport to see off her.

I went to the airport to see her off.

If the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

Phrasal verb

Particles

off

Separability

optional

Pattern

see + object + off

Synonyms

say goodbye tobid farewellsend offaccompany

Antonyms

welcomegreetmeet

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/see-off
English Reference