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

• adieu
• au revoir
• ave
• bon voyage
• congé
• congee
• farewell
• Godspeed

Examples of goodbye in a Sentence

said our good-byes and headed for home

Recent Examples on the Web

After Thursday’s goodbye, that atmosphere has gone the way of the dodo bird, the wooly mammoth, the saber-tooth tiger. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2024

The final goodbye, a funeral, hadn't been planned at the time. —Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 16 Sep. 2024

Selling Sunset fans can kiss a Season 8 reunion goodbye, according to a new report that the annual special won’t happen because of cast feuding. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 Sep. 2024

Four years after the John Varvatos brand exited bankruptcy with a new owner and bid goodbye to the man whose name is on the label, the company is ready to take a higher profile. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 5 Sep. 2024

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

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