intj
adieu
uh-DYOO
intj
1
Said when parting from someone, especially for a long time or for good; goodbye.
""Adieu," she said, waving from the deck as the ship pulled away."
"He bid adieu to his old life and boarded the plane."
noun
1
A farewell, especially one that feels final or heartfelt.
"Their adieu at the station was longer and sadder than either had expected."
How to Use Adieu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal or emotional way of saying goodbye, often implying you won't see the person again soon.
When to use it
Feels old-fashioned or literary in everyday English — most people just say "goodbye" or "bye."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bid adieu
say adieu
a final adieu
Word Forms
adieux plural, adieus plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “adieu”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
"_____," she said, waving from the deck as the ship pulled away.
Etymology
From Old French a dieu, short for "I commend you to God" — literally "to God." A doublet of "adios," which comes from the same idea in Spanish.