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

• farewell

Examples of goodbye in a Sentence

said our good-byes and headed for home

Recent Examples on the Web

Thousands of fans lined the streets of his hometown to say goodbye. —Charna Flam, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Brinkley's family surround him to say goodbye. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

Wondering what your current goodbye pattern may be revealing about your relationship status? —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Wake follows four semi-estranged siblings who reunite for their father’s wake, only to clash with his overbearing side of the family in a tug-of-war over how to say goodbye. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025

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