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

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

Kayleigh Powell powered through for a late consolation, but it was Italy's day in the Welsh capital as they bid a fitting goodbye to legendary lock Valeria Fedrighi.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Because of those costs, more people are choosing cheaper options like direct cremations - where nobody is present - but for some, that can leave a sense that they have missed out on saying goodbye.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

As “The Things We Never Say” begins, Artie is saying goodbye to a widowed friend who is moving to Ohio to be close to her daughter.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

I persuaded him to accept some of the fish I’d caught at the creek, and he thanked me and said goodbye.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• adieu
• bye-bye