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

see also:

kiss goodbye

Synonyms of goodbye

• farewell

Examples of goodbye in a Sentence

said our good-byes and headed for home

Recent Examples on the Web

Variety reported, backed by EA’s own statement and BioWare’s goodbye on socials, that EA is laying off 3% of its global workforce and closing down BioWare. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026

After some pat reassurances, Store Manager gets up and says goodbye. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026

Faulk, 89, is one of only three surviving siblings who will have the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to their only brother on Thursday. — J.d. Miles, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

The end of Young Sheldon marked a new chapter for some members of its longtime cast — but a blindsiding goodbye for others. — Kat Pettibone, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 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