interjection / noun

goodbye

A word or act used when leaving or parting.

She waves from the doorway and calls out goodbye.

Etymology

Goodbye contracts the farewell blessing God be with ye. Repeated everyday use compressed the phrase into a conventional word for taking leave.

More examples

  • We say goodbye before boarding separate trains.
  • He gives his friends a quick goodbye.
  • Our family goodbyes always take a long time.

Forms

goodbye · goodbyes

Similar words

farewell
Often more formal or lasting than an ordinary goodbye.
bye
A casual, shortened goodbye used in everyday conversation.