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goodbye

noun
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good·​bye | \ gu̇d-ˈbī How to pronounce goodbye (audio) , gə(d)- \
variants: or good-bye or less commonly goodby or good-by

Definition of goodbye

1 : a concluding remark or gesture at parting —often used interjectionally
2 : a taking of leave a tearful goodbye
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Synonyms & Antonyms for goodbye

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Examples of goodbye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lana Condor posted a cute photo featuring a little note saying goodbye to Lara Jean. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Everything We Know So Far About "To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Lara Jean"," 12 Feb. 2020 In an interview with NPR, the singer discussed her ups and downs with Bieber, and their final goodbye in March 2018. — Marianne Garvey, CNN, "Selena Gomez talks about moving past emotional abuse," 28 Jan. 2020 The sweet moment brought a smile to many of the mourners’ faces, though tears soon came when Charlotte gave the coffin a kiss goodbye. — Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE.com, "Girl Wears Her Australian Firefighter Dad's Helmet and Refuses to Leave His Side at His Funeral," 7 Jan. 2020 The friends came together again Wednesday afternoon and evening to celebrate Tabares’s life and say goodbye at the Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Coral Springs. — Eileen Kelley, sun-sentinel.com, "Grieving friends struggle to understand slaying of woman, 21, in Coral Springs drive," 27 Nov. 2019 True to form, the ending was a fake out -- LCD said goodbye with a massive Madison Square Garden show in 2011, only to return in 2017 with American Dream. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "The 40 Greatest Dance Albums of the Decade: Staff List," 26 Nov. 2019 Coach Matt Rosati and his Pirates said goodbye after last season to a foursome of starters in the back half of their defense with All-Ohio honors or three and four years of experience as starters on their playoff runs. — Matt Goul, cleveland.com, "Perry brings offensive fireworks: 2019 football camp tour," 20 Aug. 2019 Saying goodbye graciously is a must, and can have lasting career benefits. — Paul Mcdonald, Quartz at Work, "How to resign gracefully," 19 July 2019 Detroit Free Press The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers said goodbye to NBA legend Kobe Bryant on Monday night. — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons crushed by lowly Cavaliers, 115-100, for third straight loss," 28 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'goodbye.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of goodbye

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for goodbye

alteration of God be with you

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Time Traveler for goodbye

Time Traveler

The first known use of goodbye was in 1575

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Statistics for goodbye

Last Updated

20 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Goodbye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goodbye. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for goodbye

goodbye

noun
How to pronounce goodbye (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of goodbye

: a remark or gesture made when someone is leaving
: a time or occasion when someone leaves

See the full definition for goodbye in the English Language Learners Dictionary

good-bye

interjection
variants: or good-by \ gu̇d-​ˈbī \

Kids Definition of good-bye

 (Entry 1 of 2)

—used to express good wishes to someone who is leaving

good-bye

noun
variants: or good-by

Kids Definition of good-bye (Entry 2 of 2)

: a remark made when someone is leaving

More from Merriam-Webster on goodbye

Nglish: Translation of goodbye for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of goodbye for Arabic Speakers

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