goodbye

American  

[good-bahy] / ˌgʊdˈbaɪ /

Sometimes goodby,

Or good-bye

interjection

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

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noun

PLURAL

goodbyes

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

Example Sentences

But none of the trio seem ready to say goodbye yet.

From BBC

We mourn and grieve, we miss those we’ve lost or said goodbye to, and we pursue both love and memory with such fervency that the rest of the world blurs.

From Salon

But he made clear last week he was just saying goodbye, not farewell.

From Los Angeles Times

Bryant said members of the council emphasized ensuring the messaging didn’t patronize young users and allowed teens enough time to download their conversations and say goodbye to their chatbots.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adieu
• bye-bye