Etymologically
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farewell

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 15:53. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /fɛəˈwɛl/ (UK); /fɛɹˈwɛl/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English farewel, from the phrase faren wel, with fare, the imperative of faren (“to go, get along”), and wel (“well”) (see fare and well).[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The verbal phrase faren wel is from probably before 1200, in Layamon's Brut, in Barnhart;[5][3] as an interjection, a parting wish, farewel is from about 1378 in a version of Piers Plowman, 1377 in the OED.[5][6]

Semantic evolution

It was usually said to the person leaving, who replied with goodbye.[3] The noun, a leave-taking, is from 1393 in the OED, about 1425 in Barnhart.[6][5] Figuratively it expressed regret at leaving anything, from about 1385.[6] It also meant a payment on quitting a tenancy (1523) and an aftertaste (1634), both obsolete.[6] To a fare-thee-well, to the utmost degree, is American English by 1884.[3] In Australia and New Zealand it is also a verb, to honour someone who is leaving.[7][6]

Timeline

  • probably before 1200 – faren wel.[5]
  • 1377 – farewell (interjection).[6]
  • 1393 – a farewell (noun).[6]
  • 1884 – to a fare-thee-well.[3]

Modern meaning

Interjection

  1. Goodbye; adieu.

Noun

  1. An expression of good wishes at parting; a goodbye.
  2. An act of leaving; a departure.

Adjective

  1. Done or given at parting: a farewell speech.

Word family

  • farewell-to-spring

Usage notes

In north-country and Somerset dialect the Michaelmas daisy was called the farewell-daisy, from its late flowering.[8]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
  8. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)