9 Words For Closing A Letter (Opposite of Salutation)

When opening a letter or email, you’ll often use some kind of friendly salutation. It’s a great way to show that you’re polite and respectful when the recipient starts reading. This article will explore what words you might be able to use when you close a letter too.

The preferred words are “valediction,” “closing,” and “sign-off.” All of these words work well when you want to close a message in an email or letter. It is another good way of being respectful, and they usually allow you to set up strong communication with the recipient.

Valediction

“Valediction” is the perfect antonym for “salutation.” It is the standard word used when you are talking about signing off a letter or email. It refers to the act of saying goodbye to someone (either in person or via communication).

You can use valedictions to sign off letters when you are trying to write in a formal tone:

• Dear ma’am,
• Thank you for writing to me. I am returning this letter to you.
• All the best,
• Mary

Here, “all the best” is a valediction. It is used to close the letter off in a polite manner. This shows the recipient that you are keen to message them, and you may be expecting a replay (depending on the valediction).

A valediction is also how you would sign off an email. Here’s what it would look like in practice:

• Dear sir,
• I’m happy to hear from you, and this is my email body.
• Kind regards,
• John

“Kind regards” is the valediction in this email, and it is used as a way to sign off or say goodbye. It’s expected in most formal practices, so make sure you include it.

The definition of “valediction,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “the act of saying goodbye, especially formally, or a formal speech in which someone says goodbye.

• Please sign off all of your future letters with the correct valediction. It’s rude if you do not include a suitable ending.
• I need to learn how to create an appropriate valediction that can be used for all of my future emails.
• What is a valediction, and how do you create a good one? I want to make sure I’m coming across as politely as possible.

Closing

“Closing” is another great word that works when you are ending a letter or email. It works well because it shows that you are “closing” the current open communication.

If someone wants to open communication with you again, they’ll have to reply to your email. Hopefully, you would have given them a suitable closing phrase that allows them to reply, like:

• I look forward to hearing from you
• Let me know what you think
• I’m keen to learn more

The definition of “closing,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “coming near the end of a speech, event, activity, etc.”

• You’ve got to make sure that your closing message is as strong as your salutation. Otherwise, there’s no point in emailing them!
• I want to learn how to write good closing messages. Is there anything you can recommend for me to do to get that right?
• You’ll need to find a solid closer going forward. You want to impress your clients by coming across in a positive and formal manner.

Sign-Off

“Sign-off” is a simple way to show that you are ending a letter or email. It works well because you include it before you sign your name. The idea is to put the “goodbye” message and your name at the end of the letter or email to show that it is coming to an end.

• I’m not sure what to write as a sign-off. Everything that I put seems to be a little too out of place for the tone I’m looking for.
• It’s not a good sign-off, but I suppose it’ll have to do. I’m really not sure how else I’m supposed to write this thing!
• Will you just sign off already and move on to the next letter? We can’t keep looking for the best responses. Stick to the trusted ones.

Farewell

“Farewell” is a common word that replaces “goodbye” in many situations. Native speakers don’t often use it in spoken English because it is far too formal and jarring for most people to use correctly.

Instead, it is limited to formal written English. That’s why it appears so much in letters and emails. It allows you to create a good message that relates to saying goodbye to someone.

Common farewells include:

• Goodbye
• See you soon
• Kind regards
• Best wishes
• With love

The definition of “farewell,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “goodbye.”

• If you need to include a farewell in your email, at least make sure it’s a polite one. A simple “bye” will never suffice.
• I don’t want to just put “farewell.” I want to make sure that they know I’m thinking about them!
• What’s the point in putting a farewell message in an email when I know I’m going to be seeing the recipient again soon?

Goodbye Message

“Goodbye message” is a bit of a simpler way of saying “farewell.” Since “goodbye” is slightly more informal, it makes more sense to include it in a wider range of contexts.

Also, everyone knows what “goodbye” means. It won’t require any further explanation if you decide to use this phrase to explain the opposite of a salutation.

• This is the goodbye message that I’ve used for as long as I can remember. Clearly, I was mistaken, and I won’t use it again.
• Ensuring that you have a solid goodbye message is the best way for you to make sure that you’ll get a response after you send it.
• I want you to completely rewrite this. This time, make sure you include a goodbye message that sets up future communication.

Complimentary Close

“Complimentary close” is a formal phrase used to refer to how you end an email. It’s similar to using “closing,” but it is “complimentary” because it is often only done to show that you are kind or friendly.

Most people will include a complimentary close whether they like the recipient or not. It’s such common practice that it’s seen as the standard thing to do (no matter how friendly your close might be). Removing a close entirely is seen as rude, so be careful.

• This is a complimentary closing, and this is all you need to know to make sure you get it done correctly. Does that make sense?
• It’s a complimentary close, but it will have to be a little better than this. I want to surprise them with my formality and elegance.
• What can you write as a complimentary close? I feel like all of the things I’ve tried simply don’t work!

Send-Off

“Send-off” is a similar option to “sign-off.” We use it mainly for letters and emails because we “send” them once we have included the send-off phrase. It’s a clever way of showing that you are closing out a message to someone.

• Aren’t you going to put a send-off at the bottom of that letter? I always thought it was a bit rude to only include your name.
• You’ll need to include a send-off. It’s not good enough to just leave an email like that open-ended.
• Isn’t there supposed to be a send-off at this point? I’m sure I’m supposed to see one here, but I guess they forgot it.

End Message

“End message” isn’t commonly used, but it’s still a good choice when you are trying to describe the opposite of a salutation. It works well because it shows that a message will come at the “end” of the letter or email.

This message could be anything, as end messages are not limited to simple “goodbyes.” However, it’s still best practice to make sure you say farewell in some manner if you are going to close an email or letter.

• The end message is the most important part of the letter. If you forget it again, they’re going to think that we’re amateurs!
• You do not include the company end messages. Nobody will know that the emails are from us if you don’t do that!
• I want you to come up with a suitable end message that we can use across the whole company. Do you think you can do that?

Parting

“Parting” is a good choice of phrase when you want to show that it’s the last thing you have to say in a letter. There is no need to refer to a typical “goodbye” or farewell phrase.

Instead, parting messages can help you to set up a future correspondence. You can say something like “I look forward to hearing from you,” and end the letter of email after that.

The definition of “parting,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “the act of leaving or of moving apart.”

• This is a parting message, and this is what I need you to make sure you do going forward. Do you understand?
• I want to come up with a suitable parting phrase, but I’m not sure which one of these is going to work the best.
• Isn’t this supposed to be a parting message? I feel like the email shouldn’t be extended longer than this!

You may also like: 9 Best Words For The Opposite Of “Greeting” (Antonyms)