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 restaurant’s owner, José Hernandez, sat down with my colleague Jenna Thompson to reflect on decades of care for the community and why saying goodbye has been so hard. —Sofi Zeman may 12, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026

This gives us a chance to say goodbye to the Sixers and prepare for their offseason. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Say goodbye to your uncomfortable bras and join the more than 200 Amazon shoppers who have snapped up this Vrcomfy Wireless Bra in the past month. —Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026

The Lake Forest City Council marked a transition May 4 as two departing aldermen said goodbye and two new members were sworn in. —Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 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