adieu

noun

ə-ˈdü How to pronounce adieu (audio)
a-,
-ˈdyü
plural adieus or adieux ə-ˈdüz How to pronounce adieu (audio)
a-,
-ˈdyüz
: an expression of good wishes when someone leaves : goodbye
a heartfelt adieu
bid his teammates adieu
often used interjectionally
Adieu, my friends!

Examples of adieu in a Sentence

we bid our adieus and were off
Recent Examples on the Web Choose the right detergent and bid adieu to bad odors forever. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2023 And at the end of it all, the storm’s clouds bid adieu with an offering of a brilliant sunset. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024 Regardless of the current issue’s outcome, Linda Spilker, a project scientist for the Voyager program, knows there will inevitably come a day when Earth bids a final adieu to the little spacecrafts that could. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Dec. 2023 These Wide Leg Jeans Will Replace All Of Your Other Pants Bid adieu to the skinny jeans and say hello to these Wide Leg Jeans that are going to be the perfect pair to all of your favorite winter sweaters. Kathy Barr, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023 After 11 years, Apple is bidding adieu to the Lightning connector on its flagship iPhones. Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Sep. 2023 For the second time this summer, the Bruins are bidding adieu to one of their cornerstone players of the last two decades. Jim McBride, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023 It’s often described as an adieu, since Mahler wrote it shortly before his death in 1911. Vulture, 22 May 2023 The brand's End of Year Sale, starting now through December 31, is serving up 25% off sitewide to bid adieu to 2023 and say hello to glowing skin in 2024. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 26 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adieu.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French a deu, a dieu, literally, "to God"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adieu was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near adieu

Cite this Entry

“Adieu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adieu. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

adieu

noun
plural adieus or adieux -ˈd(y)üz How to pronounce adieu (audio)
: farewell entry 2 sense 1
often used interjectionally
Etymology

Middle English adieu "farewell," from early French adieu (same meaning), from a Dieu, literally "(I commit you) to God," from Latin Deus "God" — related to adios, deity

More from Merriam-Webster on adieu

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