12 Professional Ways to Say "Have a Great Weekend" in an Email (2024)

Ending an email with the right words can leave a lasting impression. Saying “Have a great weekend” is a common way to do this, but sometimes you might want to mix things up.

This article provides twelve professional alternatives to help you wish someone well in a variety of situations. Each option comes with examples and tips on when and how to use them effectively.

Is It Professional to Say “Have a Great Weekend”?

Saying “Have a great weekend” in a work email is considered professional, formal or informal depending on the context, but it is always polite.

It’s most appropriate in emails to colleagues you have a friendly relationship with, clients you’ve built a rapport with, or in any communication towards the end of the week where you want to leave a positive impression. It’s suitable for use in emails, instant messages, or even in verbal conversations within a professional setting.

Here’s an example:

Hello Emily,Thank you for sending over the report. I've reviewed it and everything looks great. I appreciate your hard work on this.Have a great weekend,Alex

Pros:

• Shows warmth and personability in professional interactions.
• Helps to build and maintain a friendly rapport with colleagues and clients.
• Ends the conversation on a positive note, contributing to a pleasant work environment.

Cons:

• May be considered too casual in very formal corporate environments.
• Could be inappropriate if the recipient is going through a tough time personally or professionally.

Sometimes, you might want to use an alternative phrase to “Have a great weekend.” This could be because you’re looking for a synonym that matches a more specific tone or setting of your message.

12 Other Ways to Say “Have a Great Weekend” in an Email

Looking for a fresh way to send off your email before the weekend? Here are twelve professional alternatives:

1. Enjoy your weekend

This alternative is casual and conveys a sense of warmth and friendliness, similar to “Have a great weekend.” It’s a polite and informal way to wish someone well at the end of a work week.

This phrase is perfect for emails to colleagues or clients you have a good relationship with. It’s especially suited for less formal emails or messages. However, it’s versatile enough to be used in most professional contexts, assuming a base level of friendliness has been established.

Here’s a sample email:

Hello Marcus,Thank you for your quick response on the project update. Your insights were incredibly helpful.Enjoy your weekend,Sophia

2. Hope you have a pleasant weekend

This phrase adds a touch of hopefulness and is slightly more formal than the original, making it a polite and thoughtful synonym. It implies a wish for the recipient’s well-being over the weekend.

It’s well-suited for professional emails where you want to maintain a formal tone but still express personal goodwill. This can include communications with senior management, new clients, or any professional relationship where a higher degree of formality is desired.

Example:

Dear Dr. Reynolds,Please find attached the report as requested. I believe it covers all the necessary points we discussed.Hope you have a pleasant weekend,Liam

3. Wish you a pleasant weekend

This alternative is very similar to “Hope you have a pleasant weekend” but with a subtle difference in tone. It’s equally formal and polite, serving as a courteous way to end an email.

This phrase fits well in professional settings where you have a respectful relationship with the recipient. It’s appropriate for use in emails to clients, supervisors, or colleagues in a different department. It shows respect while also wishing them well.

Here’s an example:

Hello Helen,I've completed the revisions on the draft you sent over. Please review it at your earliest convenience.Wish you a pleasant weekend,Jack

4. Have an enjoyable weekend

“Have an enjoyable weekend” is a synonym that’s a bit more informal than “Have a great weekend,” yet it remains polite and friendly. It suggests a hope for the recipient to find enjoyment over the weekend, making it a pleasant sign-off for an email.

This phrase is ideal for messages to colleagues or clients with whom you’ve established a friendly rapport. It’s perfect for Friday emails or when you’re wrapping up a conversation before the weekend. It adds a personal touch without sacrificing professionalism.

Email example:

Hello Oliver,Thanks for your assistance with the project this week. Your effort is greatly appreciated.Have an enjoyable weekend,Natalie

5. Have a relaxing weekend

This synonym shifts the focus to relaxation, making it a more specific and polite wish. It’s slightly more informal than the original phrase but still very much professional.

This alternative is better suited for when you know the recipient has been under a lot of stress or working hard. It’s a thoughtful way to acknowledge their efforts and wish them well. Suitable for emails to colleagues, team members, or clients you know well.

Here’s a sample:

Hi Emma,Great job on the presentation today. Your hard work really paid off and impressed everyone.Have a relaxing weekend,James

6. Wish you a restful weekend

This phrase is a thoughtful way to express your hope for someone’s relaxation and rest over the weekend. It’s both polite and formal, making it a great choice for professional emails where you want to show care and consideration for the recipient’s well-being.

It works best in situations where you know the recipient has been busy or stressed. This makes it a perfect sign-off for emails to colleagues or clients who have been working hard on a project. It’s a gentle reminder to take a break and recharge.

Email example:

Hello Isabella,Your contributions to the team have been invaluable, especially during this busy period.Wish you a restful weekend,Ethan

7. Hope you have a relaxing weekend

This alternative is similar to “Wish you a restful weekend” but with a slightly more informal touch. It’s still polite and conveys a genuine desire for the recipient to enjoy their time off.

This phrase is ideal for emails to teammates or colleagues, especially after a long week of work. It’s also suitable for messages where you’ve discussed work-related stress or upcoming challenges. It shows empathy and understanding.

Here’s an example:

Hi Lucas,Thanks for all your hard work this week. Your dedication is truly appreciated by the whole team.Hope you have a relaxing weekend,Mia

8. Enjoy a well-deserved break this weekend

This phrase emphasizes that the break is well-deserved, making it a polite and informal but meaningful alternative. It acknowledges the hard work of the recipient.

It’s especially fitting for emails to individuals who have completed a significant project or task. This phrase shows appreciation for their effort and acknowledges their need for rest. It’s great for emails to colleagues or team members as a sign of recognition.

Here’s a sample email:

Hi Ava,Congratulations on successfully completing the project on time. Your effort has not gone unnoticed.Enjoy a well-deserved break this weekend,Noah

9. Wishing you the best for the weekend

This phrase is a bit more formal and versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of professional emails. It’s a polite way to express general good wishes for the weekend.

Because of its formality, it works well in communications with both colleagues and clients, including those you may not know very well. It’s a safe choice for ending an email on a positive note without assuming too much about the recipient’s plans.

Here’s how you might use it:

Hi Sophia,I've forwarded your request to the relevant department. They will be in touch shortly to provide the necessary assistance.Wishing you the best for the weekend,Mason

10. Have a wonderful weekend

This synonym is a warm, friendly, and informal alternative to “Have a great weekend.” It’s polite and expresses a sincere wish for the recipient to enjoy their weekend.

This phrase is perfect for emails to colleagues or clients you have a friendly rapport with. It’s ideal for messages sent on a Friday or before a holiday weekend. It adds a personal touch that can help strengthen professional relationships.

Here’s an example email:

Hi Oliver,Your feedback on the draft was invaluable. Thanks for helping us improve the project.Have a wonderful weekend,Charlotte

11. Relax and unwind this weekend

This option is a bit more specific and suggests activities (relaxing and unwinding) for the weekend. It’s informal and polite, perfect for sending to someone you know could use a break.

Use this phrase when you’re more familiar with the recipient, like a close colleague or a team you manage. It’s great after a particularly stressful period or project, showing you care about their well-being beyond work.

Here’s a short email example:

Hi Ethan,We've all felt the pressure these past few weeks. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.Relax and unwind this weekend,Amelia

12. Have a superb weekend

“Have a superb weekend” offers a more enthusiastic tone, making it an informal yet polite alternative. It’s great for when you want to add a bit more excitement to your weekend wishes.

This phrase is best used with colleagues or clients with whom you have a good working relationship. It’s especially suitable for emails that celebrate the end of a project, a deal, or any other significant achievement. It helps to end the conversation on a high note.

Example:

Hi Logan,The launch was a success, thanks to your dedication and hard work. We couldn't have done it without you.Have a superb weekend,Harper

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right words to end an email can strengthen your professional relationships. The twelve alternatives to “Have a great weekend” provided here offer you a range of options to match the tone of your message and your relationship with the recipient. Whether you opt for something formal or more casual, each of these sign-offs is designed to leave a positive impression. Use them to add variety to your emails and make your weekend wishes stand out.