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 ending its summer presence was not El Califa de Leon’s final goodbye to the desert. —Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025

Hundreds gathered to say goodbye when 700-year-old Pizol died. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025

The countdown to goodbye officially begins. —Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Dec. 2025

Here’s exactly what to say to deliver a great goodbye. —Angela Haupt, Time, 8 Dec. 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