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

Sharer just canceled a trip to Louisiana to visit her brother that the 93-year-old with cancer had planned for a final goodbye. —J.d. Miles, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2025

Authorities also said Kneeland contacted his family via text message prior to his death to tell them goodbye, police told dispatchers, according to audio obtained and reviewed by People. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Now, each of those actors only had to say goodbye once. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025

And next year, Little Feat, the beloved group that’s been blending Americana genres for over 55 years, will join the growing list of classic artists like Journey, Kiss, the Eagles, Elton John, John Baez, and Aerosmith who’ve completed or are in the midst of long-goodbye tours. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 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