valedictory
val-uh-DIK-tuh-ree
/ˌvælɪˈdɪktəri/
Serving as a farewell; a farewell address, especially one delivered at a graduation ceremony.
Often implies a bittersweet or reflective tone, looking back on a shared experience before parting.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'valedicere', combining 'vale' (be well/farewell) and 'dicere' (to say). In Rome, 'Vale!' was the standard way to say goodbye.
Word relationships
- farewell: Farewell is the common word; valedictory is formal and specifically used for speeches.
- parting: Parting is an adjective for any goodbye; valedictory is usually a formal declaration.
- introductory: Introductory happens at the start, while valedictory happens at the end.
- salutatory: A salutatory address is a welcoming speech (from 'salute'), the opposite of a valedictory.
Commonly confused with
- valedictorian: The valedictorian is the person (usually the top student) who gives the valedictory speech.
Word family
- valediction (noun): The action of saying farewell.
Collocations
- valedictory address
- valedictory speech
- valedictory message
Example sentences
- "The valedictory address was moving, bringing many of the graduates to tears." Describing a student's speech at the end of high school.
- "In his valedictory speech, the senator thanked his staff for thirty years of service." A politician's final speech before retiring.
Memory hook
Think of a 'Valley' you are walking into as you 'Dictate' (say) your last words to your friends. Saying farewell.
When not to use
Too formal for a simple 'goodbye' to a friend.
Fun facts
- In the US, the 'valedictorian' is traditionally the student with the highest grade point average in the graduating class.
Related words
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