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.
This of course isn’t The Who’s first farewell tour, as the band first said goodbye 1982. Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2025 After giving a last goodbye to his wife, LAPD Sergeant Athena Grant (Angela Bassett), and his surrogate son Buck (Oliver Stark) through protective glass, Bobby kneeled down to pray and died. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 2 May 2025 Before the call even came, a dolphin kept coming up to me, as if to say goodbye. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 2 May 2025 For one year, Spain will have two Grand Prix, a temporary luxury that feels more like a gentle goodbye to the Catalunya circuit than a full-scale takeover. Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 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 23 May. 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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