variants or by-by
used to express farewell

bye-bye

2 of 4

adverb (1)

variants or by-by
: out especially for a walk or ride
used with the verb go

bye-bye

3 of 4

noun

variants or by-by
: bed, sleep
lie down … and go to bye-byeRudyard Kipling

bye-bye

4 of 4

adverb (2)

variants or by-by
: to bed or sleep
used with the verb go

Examples of bye-bye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Interjection
In this iteration of the show, the veneers are whiter, the tans are faker, and the McMansions are even more supersized; plus, Jason says bye-bye to Brett and serves as the sole Oppenheim brother on set. Judy Berman, TIME, 28 June 2024 This popular pick utilizes snail mucin to boost moisture and tackle hyperpigmentation (bye-bye, dark spots). Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 June 2024 Newton then waved bye-bye to a Villanova student section that taunted him all game. Dan Gelston, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024 And bye-bye to last year’s winners McDonald’s, Nestle, Unilever, Lockheed Martin, and Charles Schwab, which dropped off the list. Alan Murray, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2024 Here is everything consumers need to know as the chain says bye-bye. Raphael Romero Ruiz, The Arizona Republic, 14 July 2023 Say bye-bye to summer frizz with the help of TIGI Bed Head's After Party Styling Cream. Sarah Maberry, Seventeen, 11 July 2023 Chevrolet is saying bye-bye to the Bolt. The Chevy Bolt hatchback, as well as its crossover Bolt EUV sibling, will cease production this year, General Motors has confirmed to ABC News. Michael Dobuski, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

baby-talk reduplication of goodbye

First Known Use

Interjection

circa 1736, in the meaning defined above

Adverb (1)

1917, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1867, in the meaning defined above

Adverb (2)

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bye-bye was circa 1736

Dictionary Entries Near bye-bye

Cite this Entry

“Bye-bye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bye-bye. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bye-bye

interjection
variants or by-by
ˈbī-ˌbī,
ˌbī-ˈbī
used to express farewell
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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