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goodbye
/ˌɡʊdˈbaɪ/
farewell
She waved and said, 'Goodbye, have a safe trip!'
A polite way to say farewell to someone leaving.
formal
A polite or formal way to say farewell to someone who is leaving.
After the meeting, he shook hands and said, 'Goodbye, it was nice meeting you.'
A standard closing phrase in professional settings.
Often used in both spoken and written English, especially in formal or parting contexts.
informal
A way to say farewell to someone you may not see again for a long time.
Goodbye, I'll miss you while you're away!
A warm or emotional farewell.
Can convey affection or sadness, depending on tone.
Collocations
say goodbyeexpress farewellwave goodbyegesture to say farewell
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use 'goodbye'
Use 'goodbye' in formal settings or when you want to sound polite. For casual situations, 'bye' or 'see you later' are more common.
Gold Rule
Avoid overusing 'goodbye'
While 'goodbye' is polite, using it too frequently in casual conversations can sound overly formal or stiff.
Word Origin
From the phrase 'God be with ye,' where 'God' was later shortened to 'good' and 'be' to 'bye.' The phrase evolved from Middle English 'godbwye' (15th century) to modern 'goodbye.'
Usage Notes
Used in both spoken and written English. In formal contexts, it may be preferred over 'bye' or 'see ya.'
Word Breakdown
good
shortened from 'God', expressing well-wishing
rootbye
shortened from 'be', from 'be with ye'
rootEnglish Dictionary