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

The night before I left, Matt came by to say goodbye.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They were told he would not have any quality of life and they should prepare for the worst and call their family to say their goodbyes.

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Knowing the impact of the show made saying goodbye even harder, and the final day of shooting is something Caleb won't forget for a while.

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Smith is saying goodbye, she is saying thank you, she is offering gratitude for people in her life who stood beside her and helped when she needed it the most.

Read more on Salon

Survivors, desperate to say goodbye to those they’d lost, began to visit.

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Related Words

• adieu 
• bye-bye