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 eldest of the Friends cast, Kudrow was 40 by that point and ready to challenge the perception that female stars should kiss their screen careers goodbye at that age. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026

Voice like a warm porchlight left on for wanderers who kissed goodbye too soon or stayed too long. —Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026

The reality is that Barca fans saw the club’s greatest ever player move on against his will, and without the chance to say a proper goodbye. —Pol Ballús, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Last Friday, as social media rumors swirled about his potential release from the Green Bay Packers, a goodbye post to the only NFL team he’s ever known was posted to his Instagram page. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 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