goodbye

noun good·bye \ gu̇d-ˈbī , gə(d)- \

variants: or good-bye or less commonly goodby or good-by

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of goodbye

1 : a concluding remark or gesture at parting —often used interjectionally

2 : a taking of leave

a tearful goodbye

See goodbye defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of goodbye from the Web

In the season’s second episode, the runner-up says goodbye to the audience by putting a green oven mitt on his right hand and following instructions to flick off Congress.

— derek thompson, The Atlantic, "Win a Game Show, Pay Off Your Student Debt," 12 July 2018
Care and attention Say goodbye to dentists who feel cold, detached or unkind.

— karlie brand, sandiegouniontribune.com, "8 reasons you’ll wish this dentist was yours," 11 July 2018
Their reunion and their all-too-abrupt goodbye were, in many ways, even more difficult to watch than the rape.

— laura bradley, HWD, "The Handmaid’s Tale Writer Breaks Down the Series’s Most Brutal Episode Yet," 20 June 2018
Using pens bearing the President's name, the two leaders signed their agreement and, within minutes, said their goodbyes.

— jim acosta, CNN, "Close encounters of the third Kim: Witnessing the historic Trump-Kim summit," 12 June 2018
Sooter explained that his daughter’s symptoms were progressing quickly and urged family members and close friends to say their goodbyes.

— lindsey bever, Washington Post, "The story behind the viral photo of a 6-year-old comforting his dying sister," 12 June 2018
In the pole vault, the former American record-holder beat a crop of younger competitors in what served as her goodbye to Hayward Field before its demolition and reconstruction next month.

— andrew greif, OregonLive.com, "Shelby Houlihan wins at Prefontaine Classic while Caster Semenya dismisses talk of IAAF gender rules," 26 May 2018
Saying their goodbyes in the parking lot, Abdallah stood at attention and saluted Tufty.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "53 years after stealing deputy's badge as a drunk teen, this KC minister returned it | The Kansas City Star," 23 May 2018
About 60 well-wishers lined up alongside Notre Dame Seminary's chapel Wednesday morning waiting to say their goodbyes to New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson, who died last week at 90.

— larry holder, NOLA.com, "Tom Benson Day 1 visitation: 'I think Tom would have loved it'," 21 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of goodbye

alteration of God be with you

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1575

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

GOODBYE Defined for Kids

good-bye

interjection

variants: or good-by \gu̇d-ˈbī\

Definition of good-bye for Students

—used to express good wishes to someone who is leaving

good-bye

noun

variants: or good-by

Definition of good-bye for Students

: a remark made when someone is leaving

Learn More about goodbye

Nglish: Translation of goodbye for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of goodbye for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up goodbye? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

goodbye

Definition of goodbye

Recent Examples of goodbye from the Web

Origin and Etymology of goodbye

GOODBYE Defined for Kids

good-bye

Definition of good-bye for Students

good-bye

Definition of good-bye for Students

Learn More about goodbye

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

adulation

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

'Banana Republic': A History

The Many Plurals of 'Octopus'

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

The Eponym Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

Trending: Brennan: Trump's Claims are 'Hogwash'

Ghost Word

goodbye

Definition of goodbye

Recent Examples of goodbye from the Web

Origin and Etymology of goodbye

Phrases Related to GOODBYE

Related Phrases

GOODBYE Defined for Kids

good-bye

Definition of good-bye for Students

good-bye

Definition of good-bye for Students

Learn More about goodbye

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

Trending: Brennan: Trump's Claims are 'Hogwash'

Ghost Word