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

When the team started to head out, thousands of hands reached in the air to wish them goodbye and good luck. — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

The wedge salad never saw the tahini coming and will never want to bid it goodbye. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 29 June 2026

So, held by her mother and sisters, Shami walked down the hospital hallway to say goodbye to her husband. — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 26 June 2026

Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour may have said goodbye to Hawkins, but they aren't finished working together. — Evan Wyno, ABC News, 26 June 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