Farewell means goodbye, especially when parting for a long time or possibly forever. When you bid someone farewell, you're acknowledging that this departure matters and expressing hope for their well-being during your separation.

The word carries weight and formality. You might say “bye” to a friend after school, but you'd say farewell to a teacher retiring after thirty years, or to grandparents moving far away. In stories, knights departing on dangerous quests say farewell to their families, uncertain if they'll return.

You'll also see farewell used as a noun, like when a school holds a farewell celebration for a beloved principal, or when someone gives a farewell speech before moving to another city. A farewell tour is when a musician or athlete announces their final performances before retiring.

The word recognizes that goodbyes can be difficult, especially when you care about someone and won't see them for a while. Farewell gives those important moments the seriousness and respect they deserve.