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good-bye

good-bye

59 1.0
Words or actions people use when they leave
  • noun
  • /ɡʊdˈbaɪ/
translation icon : adiós
  • But still, I know, it's hard to say good-bye.
  • say good-bye
  • kiss good-bye
  • wave good-bye

Examples

  • -I just wanted to say good bye.

  • Is that when you say good-bye to me?

  • Look, I think my boy has a right to say good-bye to his father.

  • I heard them say good-bye to Each other.

  • "Seems like I should say good-bye to my mother, you know?"

    Fiction book (1997)
  • "I'm glad you decided to come and say good-bye," he said.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "I came to say good-bye," I finally mumbled, stretching out my hand through the open window.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The next morning, Mr. Oliver waved good-bye to Matthew and the school bus.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Anya cried, "Good-bye, everybody!" She and Blake, holding hands, dashed gracefully onto the boat.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I returned to the office just to say good-bye to my colleagues before moving to another city.

Synonyms

see ya
vsgood-bye
  • Texting
8.4

A friendly way to say goodbye when you expect to meet again

is the instance of saying farewell without implying future meeting
goodbye
vsgood-bye
1.0

Words people say when they leave each other

is used for an instance of leaving rather than conversation end
bye
vsgood-bye
  • Informal
306 1.0

A short word or action people use when they leave each other

is the same kind of instance defined as the act of leaving
bye-bye
vsgood-bye
  • Informal
279 1.1

A friendly informal way to say goodbye when leaving

is the act of leaving rather than the informal or repeated form
farewell
vsgood-bye
199 1.9

A speech or action that says goodbye and wishes someone well

is simply the moment of leaving rather than the longer good wish expression
good day
vsgood-bye
  • Formal
131 1.0

A polite or formal way to say goodbye when parting

is the act of saying farewell rather than a specifically formal greeting
so long
vsgood-bye
  • Informal
77 6.3

A casual word for goodbye used when leaving someone

is the event of leaving rather than the casual tone of the phrase
goodnight
vsgood-bye
53 1.0

A farewell said before going to bed or leaving for the night

is the instance of leaving at any time not only end of day
good-by
vsgood-bye
50 4.4

Words or actions people use when they leave each other

is the specific moment of parting when someone leaves not the phrase
adios
vsgood-bye
  • Informal
34 7.2

A word people use to say goodbye

is the act of saying farewell without specific language association
sayonara
vsgood-bye
31 8.6

A goodbye used when someone leaves for a long time

is the neutral act of leaving without implying permanence
adieu
vsgood-bye
  • Literature
24 9.3

A final goodbye you say when leaving for a long time

is the general act of saying farewell not necessarily long or final
au revoir
vsgood-bye
22 8.5

A polite way to say goodbye when you expect to see someone again

is the act of leaving without implying a definite future meeting
cheerio
vsgood-bye
  • UK
17 8.9

A friendly way to say goodbye

is the moment of departing rather than the specifically friendly tone
arrivederci
vsgood-bye
11 9.8

A friendly way to say goodbye

is the ordinary moment of leaving not marked by foreign origin
fare thee well
vsgood-bye
  • Archaic
3 9.9

A way to say goodbye and wish someone well

is the ordinary act of leaving without the poetic or archaic tone
leave-taking
vsgood-bye
  • Formal
1 7.0

To say goodbye in a polite or formal way

is the single instance at leaving rather than the broader process of departure
goodby
vsgood-bye
  • Archaic
1 3.0

A short phrase people say when they leave each other

is the event of saying farewell while leaving rather than any expression
word of farewell
vsgood-bye
1 4.6

A short spoken or written message saying goodbye and good wishes

is the concrete event of saying farewell while someone departs
auf wiedersehen
vsgood-bye
9.8

A German phrase people use to say goodbye

is the simple act of saying farewell without foreign-language flavour
ta ta
vsgood-bye
  • UK
8.7

A casual way to say goodbye to someone

is the actual act of leaving rather than the playful informal phrase
toodle pip
vsgood-bye
  • Archaic
9.9

A cheerful informal way to say goodbye

is the neutral act of leaving rather than the playful cheery form
pip pip
vsgood-bye
  • Archaic
9.9

A friendly old-fashioned British way to say goodbye

is the straightforward act of saying farewell without old-fashioned tone
chao
vsgood-bye
  • Philippine
8.6

A casual way to say goodbye to someone

is the act of leaving rather than the informal borrowed expression
nite
vsgood-bye
  • Informal
8.2

A casual way to say goodbye at the end of the day

is the general instance of saying farewell not limited to nighttime
so long, and thanks for all the fish
vsgood-bye
  • Literature
9.9

A funny way to say goodbye when leaving a group

is the ordinary act of leaving without theatrical or literary flourish
love you and leave you
vsgood-bye
  • Informal
8.2

To say goodbye in a warm, loving way when you must leave

is the neutral instance of leaving rather than the combined affection and parting

Antonyms

583 1.0

Greet someone in a friendly way when they arrive

How Final

to farewell
  • Formal
5 3.5
good-bye
59 1.0
bye
  • Informal
306 1.0
see you later
  • Informal
95 1.0

Surface Forms

good-bye singular
good-byes plural

Morphology

good-bye = good + bye (transparent) = good + bye

The meaning is directly composed from the clear words 'good' + 'bye' and denotes a farewell.

Etymology

The word good-bye comes from the old phrase God be with ye, a wish that means 'may God be with you' when someone left. That's why good-bye is the short, modern farewell we say when someone goes away.