goodbye

Sometimes good·by,
Or good-bye

[good-bahy]

interjection

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

noun

plural

goodbyes 

1. a farewell.

goodbye

/ ˌɡʊdˈbaɪ /

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

noun

1. a leave-taking; parting

   they prolonged their goodbyes for a few more minutes

2. a farewell

   they said goodbyes to each other

Word History and Origins

Origin of goodbye¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of goodbye¹

C16: contraction of God be with ye

Example Sentences

Their chirps are the sound of the old battle-ax saying goodbye to his homeland before the Iron Curtain slams shut.

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He was surrounded by people who cared about him, all unaware that he was displaying classic warning signs of an imminent crisis: giving away valuables, a sudden lift in spirits, indirectly saying goodbye.

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“And even if I need to say goodbye to her … again … I know I have people I can lean on. People who’ll always give me hope, no matter what.”

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“Ridge is going back in a few minutes. He wants you to come over so he can say goodbye.”

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With that, I said goodbye and hung up the phone.

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Related Words

• adieu 
• bye-bye