leave-taking
Saying goodbye formally
Leave-taking is the act of saying goodbye, especially in a formal or ceremonial way.
The term emphasizes the ritual aspect of departure—the handshakes, embraces, and parting words that mark the end of a visit or relationship: After lengthy leave-takings, the guests finally departed.
It sounds slightly literary or old-fashioned in casual contexts.
Departing salutation
- adieuFormal leave-taking
- sendoffFarewell event or gesture
- au revoirFrench parting phrase
- adiosSpanish parting word
sayonara · ciao · shalom · cheerio · fare thee well · bon voyage · godspeed · last goodbye
Prone to weeping
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
longing · yearning · melancholy · heartache · wistful · poignant · reluctant · anguish
Point of beginning
- passageSegment of text
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
- new chapterDistinct period starting now
- crossroadsMeeting of routes
milestone · change · moving on · fresh start · closing chapter · letting go · bridge
Way to leave
- embarkationBeginning a voyage
- setting offStarting a journey
- going awayIn the process of departure
- heading outStarting to leave
decamping · withdrawal · retreat · flight · emigration · expatriation · relocation · voyage
Formal event marking occasions
- farewell dinnerMeal honoring someone leaving
- toastHeated bread; glass-raising honor
- speechOral communication ability
- gift-givingOffering presents to others
retirement party · graduation · bon voyage party · wake · funeral · memorial · eulogy · commencement
goodbye
Departing salutation
adios · sayonara · ciao · shalom · cheerio · fare thee well · bon voyage · godspeed · last goodbye · final farewell
tearful
Prone to weeping
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
grief · longing · yearning · melancholy · heartache · wistful · poignant · reluctant · anguish · separation anxiety
threshold
Point of beginning
- passageSegment of text
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
- new chapterDistinct period starting now
crossroads · milestone · change · moving on · fresh start · closing chapter · letting go · bridge
exit
Way to leave
- embarkationBeginning a voyage
- setting offStarting a journey
- going awayIn the process of departure
heading out · decamping · withdrawal · retreat · flight · emigration · expatriation · relocation · voyage · journey
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- farewell dinnerMeal honoring someone leaving
- toastHeated bread; glass-raising honor
- speechOral communication ability
gift-giving · retirement party · graduation · bon voyage party · wake · funeral · memorial · eulogy · commencement · last rites
- farewellsgoodbye, farewell, bye, adieu, bye-bye
- coming and goingarrival, departure, entrance, exit, hello
- Paschal LiturgyEaster hymns, Pentecost
- goodbyesgoodbye, bye, bye-bye, see ya, byebye
- bon voyagegoodbye, farewell, adieu, adios, au revoir
- sending-offred card, ejection, expulsion, dismissal, marching orders
leave-takingarrival
Act of reaching destination
greeting · coming · advent · entrance · homecoming
leave-takingreunion
Gathering after separation
gathering · coming together · rejoining · reconvening · meeting