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

The joyous goodbye to Carnival always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday. —Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026

Lastly, know when to say goodbye and dispose of any flowers that are past bloom, or showing signs of decay. —Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026

Holding hands, sitting close enough to touch one another, snuggling, and even a quick embrace hello or goodbye are all wonderful ways to connect through touch. —Cheryl Maguire, Parents, 14 Feb. 2026

Heathcliff arrives too late to say goodbye, and tearfully cradles her dead body as a montage of their passionate romance flashes across the screen. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Feb. 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