sayonara
Americaninterjection
Etymology
Origin of sayonara
First recorded in 1860–65; from Japanese sayō-nara, shortening of sayō-naraba, equivalent to sayō “thus” + naraba “if it be”
Explanation
The word sayonara means "goodbye" or "farewell." When you are seeing your friend off at the airport, you can wave and say, "Sayonara!" Sayonara is a casual way to say goodbye, similar to phrases like "so long" or "see ya!" You might say sayonara to your traveling grandmother, or say sayonara to a terrible job at the end of a long summer. It's a Japanese word that has been a popular informal word in English since the late 1800s. It literally means "if it is to be that way," combining sayo, "that way," and nara, "if."
Vocabulary lists containing sayonara
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I never really wanted to do one because I always thought it was like a bit of a farewell, like a sayonara, a swan song,” the lead singer and songwriter says.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 8, 2023
“So sayonara, sucka! 2022, it’s a new year. ‘Cause guess what?
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2022
Both Japan Bowl alumni and organizers wish him a fond sayonara; he will be greatly missed for his unique and informal contribution to international education in the United States.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 3, 2021
“Do you know what sayonara means,” Popovich said, smiling.
From New York Times ● Aug. 7, 2021
She made a trumpet of her hands and called a merry "sayonara."
From The Lady and Sada San A Sequel to the Lady of the Decoration by Frances Little
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
