good-bye

IPA/ɡˈʊdbˈaɪ/
KK[ɡɪdbˈaɪ]IPA/ɡɪdbˈaɪ/

good-bye — noun

1. the words or actions you say or do when you leave someone, showing that you are

1.nounA2
Definition

the words or actions you say or do when you leave someone, showing that you are ending the time you spend together

Example

Cyrus waved good-bye to his grandmother as the train pulled away from the station.

wave good-bye to someone

Jude leaned out of the taxi window to shout a final good-bye to his roommates.

Common collocations
  • say good-bye
  • wave good-bye
  • blow a kiss good-bye
  • whisper a good-bye
  • shout a final good-bye
Synonyms
  • farewell

    more formal and often used in writing or public speeches; a farewell party, a farewell speech

  • send-off

    informal, specifically for someone beginning a journey or moving away

Antonyms
  • greeting

    words said when you meet someone, not when you leave

  • welcome

    a reception or words of greeting when someone arrives

Grammar Patterns

say good-bye to someone

wave good-bye to someone

kiss someone good-bye

a + adjective + good-bye

Usage Note

Commonly used with verbs for speaking or gesturing: say, wave, shout, whisper, blow, mumble. The person you are leaving is always introduced by the preposition 'to': say good-bye to a friend (NOT ✗ say someone good-bye).

Common Mistakes

I said good-bye him and left the office.
I said good-bye to him and left the office.
The verb phrase 'say good-bye' requires the preposition 'to' before the person you are leaving.
She good-byed her classmates and went home.
She said good-bye to her classmates and went home.
'Good-bye' is a noun, not a verb; use 'say good-bye' instead.

2. the moment or event when two or more people separate after being together, often

2.nounA2
Definition

the moment or event when two or more people separate after being together, often with final words or gestures of farewell

Example

After a long and tearful good-bye at the airport, Soraya finally walked toward the gate.

a tearful good-bye

The children hugged their grandparents and made their good-byes before the long drive home.

make one's good-byes

Common collocations
  • a tearful good-bye
  • a brief good-bye
  • a warm good-bye
  • make one's good-byes
  • bid someone good-bye
Synonyms
  • parting

    more literary and formal; a parting of ways

  • departure

    broader in meaning; can refer to leaving without any farewell

Antonyms
  • arrival

    the act of arriving somewhere rather than leaving

  • reunion

    meeting up with someone you have been away from

Grammar Patterns

a + adjective + good-bye

make one's good-byes

bid someone good-bye

Usage Note

This sense describes the departure as a whole event rather than the specific words spoken. Common adjectives describe the emotional tone: tearful, emotional, brief, quick, painful, warm. The plural form 'good-byes' is often used in the phrase 'make one's good-byes', meaning to say farewell to each person individually.

Common Mistakes

We had a good-bye very sad at the train station.
We had a very sad good-bye at the train station.
The adjective describing the good-bye comes before the noun, not after.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Good-bye' is the everyday word used when parting from someone — it can refer to both the words spoken and the act of leaving. 'Farewell' is more formal and literary, often used in writing or ceremonies ('a farewell dinner', 'bid farewell'). 'Send-off' is informal and specifically describes a gesture of good wishes for someone starting a journey, such as a party at the airport or a gathering of friends. Use 'good-bye' in ordinary conversation ('I said good-bye to my neighbour'), 'farewell' in writing or emotional speeches ('He gave a farewell address'), and 'send-off' for travel-related occasions ('The team gave their coach a great send-off').

farewell ↗send-offgood-bye ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • say good-bye to
  • wave good-bye to
  • kiss someone good-bye
  • bid good-bye to
  • make one's good-byes
  • good-bye kiss

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Good-bye' comes from the phrase 'God be with you', which was shortened over time to 'good-bye'. The shift from 'God' to 'good' happened because people often said 'good day' or 'good night' when parting, so 'good' replaced 'God' by association. First recorded in the 1500s, it became the standard English word for farewell.