adieu

noun

ə-ˈdü 

a-,

-ˈdyü

plural adieus or adieux ə-ˈdüz 

a-,

-ˈdyüz

: an expression of good wishes when someone leaves : goodbye

a heartfelt adieu

bid his teammates adieu

—often used interjectionally

Adieu, my friends!

Synonyms

• au revoir
• ave
• bon voyage
• congé
• congee
• farewell
• Godspeed
• good-bye
• good-by

Examples of adieu in a Sentence

we bid our adieus and were off

Recent Examples on the Web

Laverne Cox is bidding adieu to E!’s red carpet coverage. —Charna Flam, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025

Finally, the zoo also bid adieu to a classic — not an animal, but the zoo train's steam locomotives. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024

Without further adieu, please meet, in alphabetical order, Nashville's new Music Row: Marcus K. Dowling My path from Washington, D.C. to The Tennessean includes nearly two decades of award-winning freelance journalism worldwide, covering anything and everything with soul and a rhythm. —Benjamin Goad, The Tennessean, 11 Aug. 2024

For now, the industry must bid adieu to Cruise, one of the leading autonomous vehicle companies. Follow me on LinkedIn. —Gustavo Castillo, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

adieu

noun

ə-ˈd(y)ü 

a-

plural adieus or adieux -ˈd(y)üz 

: 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