goodbye

American  

[good-bahy] / ˌgʊdˈbaɪ /

Sometimes goodby, or good-bye

interjection

1. farewell (a conventional expression used at parting).

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noun

goodbyes plural

1. a farewell.

goodbye British  

/ ˌɡʊdˈbaɪ /

1. farewell: a conventional expression used at leave-taking or parting with people and at the loss or rejection of things or ideas

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noun

1. a leave-taking; parting

   they prolonged their goodbyes for a few more minutes

2. a farewell

   they said goodbyes to each other

Etymology

Origin of goodbye

First recorded in 1565–75; contraction of God be with ye

Explanation

Goodbye is a parting word, something you say to other people when you're leaving. You might say goodbye to all your favorite teachers on your last day of high school. A goodbye means that someone's departing: you say goodbye to your parents when you go off to college, and you also say goodbye to guests when they leave after a visit. The original goodbye, dating from the 1570s, was godbwye, which was a contraction of the farewell phrase "God be with ye!"

Example Sentences

In March, HBO released its first trailer for the show, which included a peek at the redheaded Weasley family saying goodbye to Ron at Platform 9¾ before he boarded the Hogwarts Express.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

"He has taken my future and the love of my life. I will never get to say goodbye."

From BBC • May 15, 2026

It’s time for them to say goodbye to the legend.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have said goodbye to their state visit to the US, attending a community party and parade in the small town of Front Royal in the state of Virginia.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

I dropped the clothes into a large basket and called goodbye to Ma and Togbe, who waved me off absently, heads still bowed between the leafy maize shoots.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• adieu
• bye-bye