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

Her rescuers said a bittersweet goodbye with full hearts, knowing she would be taken care of. —Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

Oftentimes, a child will be sad at goodbye time, but recover, Wirt says. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 28 Oct. 2025

In a viral TikTok video shared in October by 29-year-old Alyssa Redwine under the username @alyssaredwine, the tabby cat, Sis, can be seen standing by her best friend Mama’s side, gently tapping her on the head and watching her in pain, even leaning in for one last kiss goodbye. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Their kids have come to clean the place up, put it on the market and say goodbye. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 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