valediction

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A formal speech or statement given at a farewell, especially at a graduation ceremony.

   Grammar: Countable: one valediction, several valedictions.

   Patterns

   • deliver a valediction
   • give a valediction

   The principal delivered a moving valediction to the graduating class.

   Her valediction at the farewell dinner brought tears to many eyes.

   He wrote a short valediction for his colleague who was leaving the company.

2. 2noununcountableformal

   The act of saying goodbye or a farewell statement.

   Grammar: Uncountable: used without 'a' or plural when referring to the act.

   Patterns

   • a word of valediction
   • in valediction

   He raised his glass in valediction to his old friends.

   The letter ended with a simple word of valediction.

Word forms

Common combinations

valediction address

The valediction address was given by the top student.

valediction ceremony

The valediction ceremony marked the end of the school year.

valediction speech

She practiced her valediction speech for weeks.

valediction message

His valediction message was short but heartfelt.

Synonyms and how they differ

farewell

Farewell is more general and can be used for any goodbye, while valediction specifically refers to a formal speech or statement.

goodbye

Goodbye is informal and used in everyday partings; valediction is formal and often written or delivered as a speech.

Word family

valedictory adjective

Relating to a farewell, especially a speech: a valedictory address.

valedictorian noun

The student who gives the farewell speech at graduation, usually the top student.

Commonly confused: valediction or malediction?

Practice

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