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 of goodbye

• farewell

Examples of goodbye in a Sentence

said our good-byes and headed for home

Recent Examples on the Web

Jelly Roll is kissing Bunnie XO goodbye. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 16 June 2026

One evening, Tsietsi appeared at the house to say goodbye to his family. —Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Locke shared similar feelings about saying goodbye to the series. —Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

Children held signs and people brought their dogs outside to say a final goodbye to the golden retriever. —Neal Riley, CBS News, 15 June 2026

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

Rhymes for goodbye

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

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