Godspeed

English

Alternative forms

• God-speed
• God speed
• godspeed

Etymology

From Middle English phrase God spede (“may God cause you to succeed”), from God (“god”) + spede, subjunctive of speden (“to prosper”), from Old English spēdan, from spēd (“success”) (see speed).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɡɒdˈspiːd/

Interjection

Godspeed

1. An expression of good will when addressing someone, typically someone about to go on a journey or a daring endeavor.

   Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him God-speed. (John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress)

   "I'm wishing you God-speed, Hattersley," cried Arthur, "and aiding you with my prayers." (Anne Brontë, Tenant of Wildfell Hall)

   Rowland at the garden gate was giving his hostess Godspeed on her way to church. (Henry James, Roderick Hudson)

   Eight years before he had seen his friend off at the North Wall and wished him God-speed. (James Joyce, Dubliners)

   Godspeed, John Glenn. (Scott Carpenter)

Synonyms

• farewell
• goodbye

Related terms

• God bless you
• God forbid
• goddamn
• godsend

Translations

an expression of good will

• Dutch: ga met God (nl), succes (nl) n
• French: bonne chance (fr), bon courage (fr), que Dieu soit avec toi/vous (fr)

• Russian: пожелание удачи (poželánije udáči) n
• Spanish: vaya con Dios (es)