verb
to say goodbye, to adopt (a law)
B1
"verabschieden" primarily means "to say goodbye" (reflexive: sich verabschieden) and "to adopt/approve" (e.g., ein Gesetz verabschieden). It can be transitive (jemanden verabschieden, to see someone off). Auxiliary: haben; regular weak verb; past participle verabschiedet; not separable. Used reflexively for people and non-reflexively for objects or laws. Imperative forms exist.
Examples
Wir verabschieden uns von unseren Kollegen.
We're saying goodbye to our colleagues.
Sie verabschiedete sich von ihm.
She said goodbye to him.
Ich habe mich von allen verabschiedet.
I said goodbye to everyone.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine waving a hand while walking away through a small arch labelled 'Ver-Abschied-en' — the arch marks the departure
sounds a bit like 'farewell' (both relate to saying goodbye)
Notes
Can be reflexive (sich verabschieden = to say goodbye) or used transitively (jemanden verabschieden = to see someone off or to adopt a law/decision). Commonly used in both informal farewells and formal legislative contexts.