see you later

/ˌsiː ju ˈleɪtər/

goodbye

I have to go now. See you later!

A casual way to say goodbye when you expect to meet again soon.

informal

A casual farewell phrase used when leaving or ending a conversation, implying the speaker expects to meet the listener again in the near future.

I'm heading out now. See you later!

Used when leaving a social gathering or work.

See you later at the café around 5 PM.

Used to confirm a future meeting time.

More casual than 'goodbye' or 'farewell'. Often shortened to 'later' in very informal contexts.

Collocations

see you later alligatorA playful, rhyming extension of the phrase, often used humorously with children.

Synonyms

goodbye bye see you soon catch you later

Antonyms

hello hi good morning

Related Phrases

see you soonphrase

goodbye with an expectation of meeting again very soon

catch you laterphrase

informal goodbye, similar to 'see you later'

so longphrase

a more formal or old-fashioned farewell

Pro Tip

Casual vs. Formal Farewells

Use 'see you later' only in informal settings. For formal situations, prefer 'goodbye' or 'farewell'.

Gold Rule

When to Use 'See You Later'

Use this phrase when you expect to meet the person again soon and the context is casual (e.g., among friends, family, or colleagues).

Word Origin

The phrase combines the verb 'see' (from Old English 'sēon') with the adverb 'later' (from Old English 'lætra', comparative of 'late'). The expression emerged in the early 20th century as a casual alternative to formal farewells.

Usage Notes

Common in English-speaking countries, especially among friends, family, or colleagues. The phrase implies familiarity and an expectation of future interaction. In some contexts, it may be used sarcastically if the speaker doubts they will meet again.

Word Breakdown

see

to perceive with the eyes

verb

you

the person being addressed

pronoun

later

at a time in the near future

adverb

English Dictionary

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