good-by

IPA/ɡˈʊdbˈaɪ/
IPA/ɡˈʊdbˈaɪ/

good-by — noun

1. a word, phrase, or gesture that someone uses when they are leaving another perso

1.nounA2
Definition

a word, phrase, or gesture that someone uses when they are leaving another person, meaning you wish them safety and happiness until you meet again.

Example

Amira waved a final good-by to her classmates as the train pulled out of the station.

good-by + wave — physical gesture accompanying farewell

Diego gave his younger brother a quick good-by and rushed to catch the last bus home.

Common collocations
  • say good-by
  • wave good-by
  • whisper good-by
  • blow a good-by
  • final good-by
  • quick good-by
  • silent good-by
Synonyms
  • farewell

    more formal or ceremonial; suggests a longer or permanent parting rather than a casual one

  • adieu

    very formal or literary; borrowed from French, rarely used in everyday speech

  • so long

    informal American expression; friendly and casual, often used in the western United States

Antonyms
  • greeting

    words said when meeting, not when leaving

  • hello

    the standard word used when arriving or meeting someone

Grammar Patterns

say + good-by

wave + good-by

good-by + to + person

Usage Note

Good-by is the American English spelling of goodbye, which is more common worldwide. This sense is frequently used as a spoken interjection ('Good-by, everyone!') when parting, not only as a noun.

Common Mistakes

I said good-by when I arrived at the party.
I said good-by when I left the party.
Good-by is spoken when departing, not when arriving or entering a place.
She wrote good-by on the birthday card.
She wrote a short good-by in the farewell card.
Good-by as a noun needs a determiner (a, her, his) unless used as an interjection in dialogue.

2. the act or moment of leaving someone or a familiar place, often with feelings of

2.nounB1
Definition

the act or moment of leaving someone or a familiar place, often with feelings of sadness or finality — for example, saying farewell to a hometown, a job, or a group of friends for the last time.

Example

Nkechi's good-by to her hometown was harder than she had imagined, with so many memories tied to every street.

possessive + good-by + to — describing someone's act of leaving

Mateo found it difficult to make a proper good-by after fifteen years at the same company.

Common collocations
  • make one's good-by
  • a long good-by
  • a tearful good-by
  • a final good-by
  • good-by to the past
  • good-by to a way of life
Synonyms
  • parting

    neutral and widely used; focuses on the separation itself rather than the emotional weight

  • leave-taking

    more formal or literary; emphasizes the ceremonial or deliberate nature of saying goodbye

  • farewell

    formal; can describe both the words and the event of parting, often implying permanence

Antonyms
  • arrival

    the act of reaching a place, opposite of leaving it

  • reunion

    meeting again after a separation, the opposite of parting

Grammar Patterns

possessive + good-by + to + person/place

make + possessive + good-by

Usage Note

Frequently appears with a possessive noun or pronoun ('her good-by,' 'the children's good-by'). Often used with the verb 'make' or 'say.' Distinguish from Sense 1 (FAREWELL REMARK), where good-by is the actual word or gesture rather than the act of leaving.

Common Mistakes

We said our good-by before the movie.
We said our good-by after the movie ended, outside the theater.
A good-by is the act of leaving, so it happens when people separate, not before an event starts.
I waved good-by to the beautiful sunset.
I waved good-by to my friends as the sun set.
Good-by is for people you are leaving behind, not for objects or natural scenery.
Idioms

a good / great send-off

idiom

an enjoyable party or celebration arranged for someone who is leaving a job, a city, or a group, where everyone has a good time together.

The office gave Dr. Okonkwo a wonderful send-off with cake, balloons, and touching speeches from every department.

Mai's friends surprised her with a lovely send-off at the local noodle shop before she moved abroad.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Good-by is the everyday term for parting — warm, neutral, and appropriate in almost any situation, from casual phone calls to emotional airport departures. Farewell is noticeably more formal and often suggests a permanent or ceremonial leave-taking; it is common in written messages, speeches, or when someone retires. Adieu is a literary or dramatic borrowing from French that carries a sense of finality or sadness; you would rarely use it in ordinary conversation. So long is an informal American expression, friendly and relaxed, often heard in casual settings or regional dialects of the western United States. For example, you might say 'so long' to a friend after a weekend hike, write 'farewell' in a retirement card, but use 'good-by' when dropping your child off at summer camp.

good-by ↗farewell ↗adieu ↗so long

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • say good-by
  • wave good-by
  • kiss good-by
  • a final good-by
  • make one's good-by
  • a long good-by

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Good-by comes from the phrase 'God be with ye,' a blessing spoken to someone who was departing. Over time, the original phrase was shortened and altered: 'God be with ye' became 'goodbye' in British English, and the American spelling 'good-by' emerged as a further simplified variant. Although the religious meaning has faded, the word still carries the sense of wishing someone well as they leave.