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

Portman bid adieu to her brown-blonde long locks for a short bob with a dark brown hue for the chilly fall-winter season. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

That sadly didn’t come to pass, though moviegoers do get to bid adieu to an important character and say hello to a new cosmic supervillain. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024

Michael Easton also bid an abrupt adieu to Port Charles in the summer. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024

Yes, there’s something bittersweet about bidding adieu to summer’s last berries, peaches, and tomatoes. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 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