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

The diagnosis of the aggressive form of bone cancer required several surgeries, chemotherapy and a wrenching goodbye to his skateboarding career. —Jacob Louraine, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026

Isabel DiMola, who had been the acting first deputy chancellor since the start of this school year, announced her retirement Wednesday night, effective April 1, according to a goodbye email obtained by The News. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026

Nine months isn’t enough time to process a simple diagnosis, let alone to say a forever goodbye. —Jason Collins, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026

This all comes after Rob Shuter reported that Savannah Guthrie returned to her mother’s home to say goodbye before heading back to New York. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Mar. 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