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

see also:

kiss goodbye

Synonyms of goodbye

• farewell

Examples of goodbye in a Sentence

said our good-byes and headed for home

Recent Examples on the Web

Jama took to social media to share a goodbye message with some of her best bits from the ITV reality series. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026

Vander Luitgaren, however, wasn’t going to pass on taking his change to say goodbye. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

But, after the video ended and the highlights of his remarkable career stopped playing, the bitter context of his goodbye still lingered faintly in the background. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

John, 79, performed at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Banorte last month, playing two gigs that marked the conclusion of his long goodbye Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 Nov. 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