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

Trump must get his mojo back — or kiss 2026 goodbye. —FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025

The show’s over, thank you and goodbye. —Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025

Tim smiled and hugged her tight, and said goodbye. —Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

This month, Sabrina Carpenter said hello to Paul McCartney and goodbye to her Short n’ Sweet Tour. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 24 Nov. 2025

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