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

But their first goodbye came out of order for an adaptation, taking place nine months earlier when filming concluded on Heartstopper Forever. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026

Here’s a quick rundown of the latest business news from around the northeast Tarrant County suburbs, from a Canadian dessert café making its Texas debut to one location of a longtime Tex-Mex spot saying goodbye. — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Summer House began filming last week without Amanda, so does this mean that the reunion is her goodbye to Bravo? — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 July 2026

When my colleagues and I were laid off, we weren't allowed a proper goodbye. — Leslie Friday, CNBC, 10 July 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