[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/valediction/)

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# valediction

noun (a valediction, valedictions) — formal

«valediction» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) A valediction is the act of saying goodbye, or the words you use to say goodbye. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/#m1)
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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/#m2)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/#x1)
- End your letter with a valediction and your name. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/#x2)
- The headteacher gave a short valediction at the leaving party. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/#x3)
- The poem is a valediction to a friend going away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/#x4)
- A text message rarely has a valediction. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/#x5)
- The valedictorian gave a valediction at graduation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/#x6)

### 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».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «valediction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/valediction/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«valediction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/valediction.html) on Mova free.