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What is the difference between farewell and goodbye?

farewell | goodbye |

Goodbye is a synonym of farewell.



As nouns the difference between farewell and goodbye

is that farewell is a wish of happiness or welfare at parting, especially a permanent departure; the parting compliment; a goodbye; adieu while goodbye is an utterance of goodbye, the wishing of farewell to someone.

As interjections the difference between farewell and goodbye

is that farewell is goodbye while goodbye is farewell; a formula used to another person or persons when the speaker, writer, or person addressed is departing.

As an adjective farewell

is parting, valedictory, final.

As a verb farewell

is to bid farewell or say goodbye.

farewell

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A wish of happiness or welfare at parting, especially a permanent departure; the parting compliment; a goodbye; adieu.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
    • , chapter=5, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=The departure was not unduly prolonged.
  • An act of departure; leave-taking; a last look at, or reference to something.
  • * (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
    • And takes her farewell of the glorious sun.
  • * (Joseph Addison) (1672-1719)
    • Before I take my farewell of the subject.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Parting, valedictory, final.
  • :
  • *
  • *:“I'm through with all pawn-games,” I laughed. “Come, let us have a game of lansquenet. Either I will take a farewell fall out of you or you will have your sevenfold revenge”.

    • Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • goodbye
    • He said "Farewell !" and left.
  • * Milton
    • So farewell' hope, and with hope, ' farewell fear.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To bid farewell or say goodbye
  • * {{quote-news, year=2009, date=February 9, author=Neil Wilson and staff writers, title=Tributes for newsman Brian Naylor and wife, killed in fires, work=Herald Sun citation
    • , passage=He farewelled viewers with a warm sign-off after each bulletin: "May your news be good news, and goodnight." }}

    goodbye

    English

    Alternative forms

    * good-by * good-bye * good bye

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • ; a formula used to another person or persons when the speaker, writer, or person addressed is departing.

    • Synonyms

    * (informal) catch you later, bye, bye-bye, ciao, see you, so long, ta ta, toodeloo, TTFN, ttyl * (formal) adieu, adios, farewell, sayonara * (slang) hasta la vista, , later, laters, keep it real, peace out. take it easy, toodles, peace, cya * cheerio, cheery-bye, toodle pip (dated) * good morn, good morning (during the morning ) * good afternoon, good midday (during midday ) * good day (during day ) * good eve, good evening (during the evening ) * good night (during night ) * See also

    Derived terms

    * kiss goodbye * say goodbye

    Related terms

    * good riddance

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An utterance of goodbye, the wishing of farewell to someone.
    • John gave Rebecca a goodbye to wish her luck on her holiday.