goodbye

noun

good·​bye gu̇d-ˈbī 

gə(d)-

variants or good-bye or less commonly goodby or good-by

1

: a concluding remark or gesture at parting

—often used interjectionally

2

: a taking of leave

a tearful goodbye

Synonyms

• adieu
• au revoir
• ave
• bon voyage
• congé
• congee
• farewell
• Godspeed

Examples of goodbye in a Sentence

said our good-byes and headed for home

Recent Examples on the Web

Almost time to say goodbye: Paramount+ has dropped the official trailer and revealed the premiere date for the seventh and final season of SEAL Team. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 25 June 2024

This schedule is full on, with Pharrell kicking things off at Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten’s goodbye show, and Vogue World for a chaser. —Phil Oh, Vogue, 19 June 2024

The goodbye party, the packing of boxes, the stuffing of clothes into garbage bags. —Krista Stevens, Longreads, 12 June 2024

How did Pat Sajak say goodbye on 'Wheel of Fortune'? Sajak was a part of that — kind of bemused, kind of boring, with a touch of sarcasm. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 7 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of God be with you

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing goodbye

• kiss goodbye
• kiss something goodbye
• say goodbye to
• wave goodbye

Kids Definition

good-bye

noun

variants or good-by

gu̇d-ˈbī,

gəd-,

gə-

: a concluding remark at parting

—often used interjectionally

Etymology

a shortened and altered form of God be with you