riddance

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   welcome relief at the removal or departure of an unwanted person or thing, especially in the phrase good riddance

   When the corrupt official resigned, the townspeople muttered, 'Good riddance.'

2. 2
   noun

   the act of removing, clearing away, or getting rid of something

   The town celebrated its riddance of the corrupt official.

An alteration of Middle English riddeings or ryddyngs, 'clearings or removals,' influenced by rid + -ance. The relief sense developed naturally from the removal of something burdensome and survives most visibly in the expression good riddance.

Topics