Dictionary

riddance en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈɹɪdn̩(t)s/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈɹɪd(ə)n(t)s/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Apparently an alteration of earlier Middle English riddeings, ryddyngs, reddyngs (“clearings, clearances”), plural of riddyng, riddynge, rudyng (“clearing away, removal”), partially continuing Old English hryding (“a clearing, cleared land”), by surface analysis, rid + -ance.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) An act of ridding, clearance, or removal; elimination.
   • And this kind of riddance is the most pleasant to listen to of all 2005, Plato, translated by Lesley Brown, Sophist, page 230c:
   • A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vii]:
2. (countable, uncountable) Deliverance, release, setting free; a relief involving getting rid of something.
3. (countable, uncountable) The earth thrown up by a burrowing animal.

Forms

Deriveds

good riddance to bad rubbish · good riddance

Translations (3)

es desfacimiento (an act of ridding, clearance) · es deshacimiento (an act of ridding, clearance) · es desfacción (an act of ridding, clearance)