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

Daeron betrays Ormund after being officially knighted by him earlier in the episode, and the two never get a proper goodbye. — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

After decades together creating a hybrid of hard rock and glam metal, Kiss finally said goodbye in 2023 with a final concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

So when the cat was suffering from mouth cancer, the goodbye was brutal. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Acknowledge your child’s feelings, then follow through with your goodbye instead of sneaking away. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 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