interjection
bon voyage
bon voy-AHZH
Bon voyage (interjection) means Said to someone setting off on a journey, wishing them a safe and pleasant trip. Example: “Bon voyage, and send us a photo from the airport.”
interjection
1
Said to someone setting off on a journey, wishing them a safe and pleasant trip.
"Bon voyage, and send us a photo from the airport."
"We waved from the quay and shouted bon voyage."
noun
1
A farewell of this kind, used before a noun to describe a send-off.
"They threw her a bon voyage party the night before she flew."
How to use bon voyage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA way of wishing someone a good trip.
When to use it
Borrowed from French and fully at home in English, though it can sound slightly grand for a short journey.
Memory tip
Use it for real journeys, especially long ones; for a trip to the shops, safe travels sounds odd and bon voyage sounds like a joke.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bon voyage party
bon voyage card
wish someone bon voyage
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Fill the gap
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_____, and send us a photo from the airport.
Etymology
French, literally good journey.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for bon voyage
See all rhymes for bon voyage →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between bon voyage and au revoir?
Bon voyage wishes someone a good journey and is only used when they are travelling. Au revoir simply means goodbye, or literally until we see each other again, and works in any parting.
Is bon voyage still used in English?
Yes. It is a long-established loan phrase that appears on greetings cards, at send-off parties and in speech, though many people now prefer the plainer safe travels.
What is the meaning of bon voyage?
"bon voyage" (interjection) means said to someone setting off on a journey, wishing them a safe and pleasant trip.
What is another word for bon voyage?
Other words for "bon voyage" include safe travels, have a good trip, godspeed.
