riddance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Idiomatic
Quick answer
What does “riddance” mean?
The action or fact of getting rid of something or someone undesirable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or fact of getting rid of something or someone undesirable.
A state of relief or freedom gained by the removal of a nuisance or burden; the act of clearing away something unwanted.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the idiom "good riddance" identically. There is no significant difference in usage.
Connotations
The idiom "good riddance" can carry a tone of finality, satisfaction, and sometimes bluntness or schadenfreude.
Frequency
The idiom "good riddance" is moderately common in both varieties. The standalone word "riddance" is extremely rare in modern usage.
Grammar
How to Use “riddance” in a Sentence
good riddance to [someone/something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “riddance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The verb is 'to rid'. Example: He sought to rid the house of pests.
American English
- The verb is 'to rid'. Example: She worked to rid the community of blight.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form exists.
American English
- No adverb form exists.
adjective
British English
- The adjective form is 'rid' (predicative only). Example: She was glad to be rid of the old car.
American English
- The adjective form is 'rid' (predicative only). Example: He was happy to be rid of the responsibility.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in a memo: "With the problematic contract terminated, I say good riddance."
Academic
Extremely rare outside of historical or literary analysis discussing older texts.
Everyday
Almost entirely confined to the idiom "good riddance."
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “riddance”
- Using 'riddance' alone expecting it to be understood ('I feel a sense of riddance').
- Misspelling as 'riddence' or 'ridance'.
- Using it in a positive context without 'good' (e.g., 'I welcome this riddance').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in modern English, 'riddance' is essentially a fossil word preserved only in the idiom 'good riddance.' Using it alone sounds archaic or incorrect.
It can be, depending on context. It expresses relief at someone/something's departure and can imply the person/thing was unwelcome or a nuisance, which may be hurtful if said directly to them.
It comes from Middle English 'reddance,' from the verb 'ridden' (to clear). It is related to the verb 'to rid' meaning to clear, free, or disencumber.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish" is a common extended form. Occasionally, "glad riddance" is heard, but "good riddance" is vastly more standard.
The action or fact of getting rid of something or someone undesirable.
Riddance is usually formal, literary, idiomatic in register.
Riddance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪd(ə)ns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪdns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “good riddance”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'riddance' as related to 'rid' - you get *rid* of something, and the 'dance' part sounds like the finality of a concluding dance. You dance away the problem.
Conceptual Metaphor
FREEDOM IS THE REMOVAL OF A BURDEN (A heavy weight lifted, a prison door opening).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'riddance' used correctly?