goodspeed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Archaic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “goodspeed” mean?
An expression of good wishes for success, safety, or prosperity, especially at the start of a journey or venture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An expression of good wishes for success, safety, or prosperity, especially at the start of a journey or venture.
A formal or archaic way of saying 'good luck' or 'may you have a successful journey/endeavor'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and archaic in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary contexts.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of old-fashioned formality, ceremony, or literary flair. Can sound quaint or deliberately archaic.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern speech. Almost entirely confined to historical fiction, formal toasts, or deliberate stylistic choices.
Grammar
How to Use “goodspeed” in a Sentence
[Subject] bid/wished [Recipient] Godspeed.Godspeed to [Recipient].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Might appear in historical or literary analysis texts discussing older usage.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used humorously or with heavy irony.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “goodspeed”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “goodspeed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “goodspeed”
- Using it as a noun to mean 'fast speed' (e.g., 'The car moved with goodspeed').
- Using it in casual, modern contexts where 'good luck' or 'bye' is appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'Godspeed' (the more common historical/religious variant) when 'goodspeed' is intended.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are variants. 'Godspeed' is the older and more common form, originating from the phrase 'God speed (you)'. 'Goodspeed' is a later variant that secularizes the expression, replacing 'God' with 'good'.
It would sound very unusual and archaic. In modern English, 'good luck', 'best of luck', 'take care', or simply 'bye' are the natural choices.
It functions primarily as an interjection (a word expressing sentiment) or a noun in fixed phrases like 'bid someone goodspeed'.
No. Here it uses an archaic meaning of 'speed': success, prosperity, or good fortune. The wish is for a successful journey/outcome.
An expression of good wishes for success, safety, or prosperity, especially at the start of a journey or venture.
Goodspeed is usually formal, archaic, literary in register.
Goodspeed: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊdˈspiːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊdˈspiːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bid someone Godspeed”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a knight in a story saying 'Godspeed' to a comrade riding off on a quest—it's a formal wish for GOOD SPEEd (success) on their journey.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY IS SUCCESS (Wishing for a swift and successful journey metaphorically extends to wishing for success in any endeavor).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'goodspeed' LEAST likely to be used naturally today?