ADIEU

Adieu is a French word that has been adopted into English, serving as both an interjection and a noun. As an interjection, it means "goodbye" or "farewell," typically used in formal or literary contexts. Unlike casual farewells such as "bye" or "see you later," adieu carries a sense of finality and formality, often implying a long or permanent separation.

When used as a noun, adieu refers to the act of saying goodbye or a farewell itself. You might "bid someone adieu" or "make your adieus" before departing. The word's French origin gives it a sophisticated, romantic quality that makes it popular in poetry, literature, and formal speech. In modern usage, it's less common in everyday conversation but remains well-known and understood.

In the world of word games, adieu has gained remarkable popularity, particularly as a strategic opening word in Wordle. Its unique combination of four different vowels (A, E, I, U) plus the common consonant D makes it exceptionally valuable for quickly identifying which vowels are present in the target word. This vowel-rich composition has made it one of the most frequently recommended starting words by Wordle strategists and algorithms.

The word's significance extends beyond its literal meaning. In literature and drama, "adieu" often marks pivotal moments of departure or separation. Shakespeare used it frequently in his plays, and it continues to appear in contemporary works when authors want to evoke a sense of formality, finality, or old-world charm. The plural form "adieus" or "adieux" (using the French plural) refers to multiple farewells.