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
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2024
And now, this album — and the band’s forthcoming farewell tour, which extends through 2025 — will, funny enough, get them through the undeniable fact that the end is near.
—Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024
After receiving a warm farewell during the Bay Bridge exhibitions, Pablo Sandoval was released.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Of course, Cullinan, on the cusp of his investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, bid each guest a gracious farewell as the night came to a close.
—Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
Some farewells are more painful than others, especially the ones that have been part of our lives for decades, like All My Children, As the World Turns, and One Life to Live.
—Abby West, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024
It should be interpreted as a final farewell to those vestiges of the political past that preceded or that complicated the arrival of forever Putinism.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024
The series starring Robbie Amell and Andy Allo wrapped its third season late last year and will get a proper farewell at the streamer.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
Having bid farewell to The Crown in a blaze of corgis and crêpe de chine, Imelda Staunton seems to be having period drama withdrawals.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 21 Mar. 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
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
But this was farewell to an exceptional version of the team.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2024
In the brewery’s final days, look for a weeklong celebration that will include its final music bingo, trivia and open mic nights, plus a farewell party.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2024
Noah’s final 10 weeks as host in 2022 drew about 412,000 viewers per night; his farewell week clocked in at 441,500 viewers.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024
Eisenhower’s fundamental concern in his farewell address was imbalance.
—Dominic Pino, National Review, 30 Jan. 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
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
And now, this album — and the band’s forthcoming farewell tour, which extends through 2025 — will, funny enough, get them through the undeniable fact that the end is near.
—Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024
After receiving a warm farewell during the Bay Bridge exhibitions, Pablo Sandoval was released.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Of course, Cullinan, on the cusp of his investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, bid each guest a gracious farewell as the night came to a close.
—Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
Some farewells are more painful than others, especially the ones that have been part of our lives for decades, like All My Children, As the World Turns, and One Life to Live.
—Abby West, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024
It should be interpreted as a final farewell to those vestiges of the political past that preceded or that complicated the arrival of forever Putinism.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024
The series starring Robbie Amell and Andy Allo wrapped its third season late last year and will get a proper farewell at the streamer.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
Having bid farewell to The Crown in a blaze of corgis and crêpe de chine, Imelda Staunton seems to be having period drama withdrawals.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 21 Mar. 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
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
But this was farewell to an exceptional version of the team.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2024
In the brewery’s final days, look for a weeklong celebration that will include its final music bingo, trivia and open mic nights, plus a farewell party.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2024
Noah’s final 10 weeks as host in 2022 drew about 412,000 viewers per night; his farewell week clocked in at 441,500 viewers.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024
Eisenhower’s fundamental concern in his farewell address was imbalance.
—Dominic Pino, National Review, 30 Jan. 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.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near farewell
Cite this Entry
“Farewell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/farewell. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on farewell
Nglish: Translation of farewell for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of farewell for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share