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

The professional darts player and reigning Dutch champion, 29, shared an emotional goodbye message to her sport after the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) ruled that transgender women will not be able to compete in women's competitions on Thursday, April 9. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

If the red carpet was any indication, nobody is quite ready to say goodbye. —Kennedy French, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026

Following his retirement from therapy work, Paul was already set to move to Connecticut to move in with his daughter Meg (Lily Rabe), but he and Jimmy were supposed to share a goodbye breakfast. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026

Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza saw another closure this week when a menswear company of four years said goodbye. —Jenna Thompson april 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 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