farewell

Farewell is an expression or act of parting used when leaving someone or ending a relationship, journey, or period of life. It may be spoken or accompanied by a gesture or ceremony.

Etymology: The term comes from Old English faran (to go) and wel (well). The phrase "fare well" gradually merged into the single word farewell by the Middle English period, carrying wishes of safety and good fortune for the departure.

Usage: Farewell can function as a noun (a farewell) or as part of a verb phrase such as "to bid farewell." Common forms include farewell parties, farewell addresses, farewell tours, or farewell messages. In everyday speech, it can be formal or informal, with cross-cultural equivalents such as adieu (French), adios (Spanish), and ciao (Italian). Cultural practices surrounding farewells vary, and may involve rituals, gifts, or written expressions.

In arts and media: The word has been used as a title or central theme in numerous works across film, literature, music, and poetry, often exploring departure, memory, and endings. As a versatile concept, farewell appears in diverse cultural contexts and artistic genres.

See also: goodbye; parting words; retirement.