goodbye

noun

good·​bye gu̇d-ˈbī How to pronounce goodbye (audio)
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

Examples of goodbye in a Sentence

said our good-byes and headed for home
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In his final moments before floodwaters overtook his camper in Kerrville, Texas, Jeff Ramsey left goodbye messages for his children. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 9 July 2025 The family of a Grandview man fatally shot by Lenexa police is raising money to send his body back to El Salvador so his mother and others can say goodbye. Laura Bauer july 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025 The 200 passengers at Union Terminal were joined by folks who wanted to say goodbye. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 The exit from the Red Bull junior team was also a goodbye to F1. Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for goodbye

Word History

Etymology

alteration of God be with you

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of goodbye was in 1575

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goodbye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goodbye. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on goodbye

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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