DictionaryciaoInformal greeting or farewell
interjection

ciao

Used informally when meeting or parting.

Ciao, she says as she waves goodbye.

Etymology

The Venetian source means servant or slave. A courteous formula offering oneself as another’s servant weakened into an everyday greeting used both on arrival and departure.

More examples

  • He greeted his friend with a cheerful ciao.
  • She ended the message with ciao.
  • Ciao, everyone—we'll see you tomorrow.

Forms

ciao

Similar words

hello
A greeting rather than a farewell.
goodbye
A farewell rather than a greeting.