godspeed
UK /ˌɡɒdˈspiːd/ · US /ˌɡɑdˈspid/ interjection, noun
Forms godspeeds God-speed God speed good speed
- interjection (literary) Used, particularly at a moment of departure, to convey a wish that an individual’s forthcoming actions yield favorable outcomes; typically addressed to someone embarking on a journey or undertaking a challenging endeavor.
- noun (uncountable) The wishing of someone a smooth journey, or success, especially at a parting; (countable) a statement expressing this.
- noun (archaic) Chiefly in in the Godspeed of: the most important part of something, or point at which something happens; also, the last minute or last moment.
- noun (originally Ireland) In back of Godspeed: a distant, remote, or unknown place.
Synonyms
all the best fare thee well farewell goodbye good luck back of beyond
Etymology
Univerbation of God speed, elliptical for God speed you, where speed carries the archaic sense “help, further, cause to prosper”. Compare God bless, God damn.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Success; prosperous journeying; --a contraction of the phrase, "God speed you." [Written also as two separate words.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “godspeed”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details