Bid Farewell – Meaning and Examples
When a colleague leaves for a new job, you might have a party to bid farewell. This common idiom is a formal and often emotional way to say goodbye. Learning bid farewell will help you in situations where a simple “goodbye” isn’t enough.
What Does “Bid Farewell” Mean?
“Bid farewell” means to say goodbye in a formal, deliberate, or heartfelt way. It is often used for permanent or long-term goodbyes.
Think of it like this: At an airport, you bid farewell to a friend who is moving to another country. It is a more significant and emotional goodbye than just saying “see you later.”
Remember, it is more formal and weighty than “goodbye.” It is not for casual, everyday goodbyes.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom in formal, emotional, or final situations.
- Retirements: “The whole office gathered to bid farewell to the retiring manager.”
- Moving Away: “We went to the dock to bid farewell to the ship.”
- Endings: “It’s time to bid farewell to our old way of doing things.”
The tone is formal, respectful, and often a little sad or nostalgic. It is common in speeches and writing.
Example Sentences
- We must now bid farewell to our guests.
- She stood at the door to bid him farewell.
- The company bid a fond farewell to its founder.
- It was hard to bid farewell to the city I called home.
Mini Dialogue
Maria: “I can’t believe you’re leaving the company next week.”
John: “I know. It’s been a great ten years. We should have lunch to bid a proper farewell.”
Maria: “Yes, let’s. It’s important to bid farewell properly.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is using “bid farewell” in casual situations. It would sound strange and overly dramatic.
❌ Don’t say: “I bid farewell to my coworker before going home for the day.”
✅ Do say: “I said goodbye to my coworker before going home.” OR “We held a party to bid farewell to our coworker who was transferring to another country.”
Practice Tip
The next time you hear about someone retiring or moving away, think about this phrase. You can write in a card: “We bid you a fond farewell and wish you the best.”
Final Note
This is a beautiful and respectful way to say goodbye for important occasions. It adds weight and sincerity to your farewells. Use it to mark significant endings and transitions in life.
