“Fair Winds and Following Seas” Meaning, Origin and Great Examples

Last updated on June 18, 2024 by Liam Daniel

Have you listened to a conversation and heard someone say the term ‘fair winds and following seas.’? If you have, you may have wondered what the phrase means. We are going to look into the meaning of the saying, where it came from, and how we can use it in our conversations.

Fair Winds and Following Seas

“Fair Winds and Following Seas” Meaning

The meaning of the term ‘fair winds and following seas’ is to wish the listener well on their way, another way of saying something like ‘farewell, God speed.’

Origin of this Idiomatic Expression

This term, like many idioms in the English language originally derived from sailors. Fair winds would aid the sail on a ship and following seas is a term that describes a sea current that is going the same way as the ship, making for smooth sailing. These terms coupled together would mean an easy journey. Therefore wishing someone ‘fair winds and following seas’ would indicate that you wish them to have safe travels.

Other Ways to Say the Phrase

There are many other ways in which you can express the meaning of the term ‘fair winds and following seas.’

Here are some examples of things you can say.

  • Safe travels
  • Best of luck
  • Farewell, God speed

“Fair Winds and Following Seas” Examples

Examples in Statements

This is a statement made when bidding someone farewell at an airport.

  • ‘I will see you when you return, fair winds and following seas.’

Here is a statement made by someone wishing someone well in a new venture.

  • ‘I’m sure you will do great at your new job, fair winds and following seas.’

Conversation Examples

Here are some examples of how the term ‘fair winds and following seas’ might fit into a conversation. The first conversation example shows a person saying goodbye to someone who is leaving on a long trip.

  • Person 1: “I am leaving for Australia tomorrow, it’s going to be a long flight.”
  • Person 2: “Fair winds and following seas, and have a wonderful time.”

This second example conversation shows two people discussing a trip which must go well.

  • Person 1: “I am very nervous about taking this trip with Linda, it’s essential that we get along.”
  • Person 2: “I’m sure you will.”
  • Person 1: “I hope so, three weeks is a long time to spend with one person.”
  • Person 2: “Fair winds and following seas.”

Fair Winds and Following Seas | Picture

Fair Winds and Following Seas

 

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