valediction

Everyday

1. (formal) A valediction is the act of saying goodbye, or the words you use to say goodbye. tree →
2. (formal) A valediction is a goodbye speech or poem, or the closing words of a letter, such as «Yours sincerely» or «Best wishes». tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons on letter writing, the valediction is the sign-off at the end. In the USA and Canada, the «valedictorian» is the top student who gives the goodbye speech at graduation. In older poems and classics, a valediction is a farewell. In everyday talk people just say «goodbye» or «sign-off».

Examples

• «Yours sincerely» is a polite valediction. tree →
• End your letter with a valediction and your name. tree →
• The headteacher gave a short valediction at the leaving party. tree →
• The poem is a valediction to a friend going away. tree →
• A text message rarely has a valediction. tree →
• The valedictorian gave a valediction at graduation. tree →

Note

Formal word; plain English: goodbye, farewell, sign-off. Opposite: «salutation» (the greeting, like «Dear Sam»). Pronounced «val-uh-DIK-shun». Letter rule (UK): «Dear Sir» goes with «Yours faithfully», «Dear Ms Lee» with «Yours sincerely».