English Reference
interjection · noun

bye

interj. · n.
US /ˈbaɪ/ UK /bˈaɪ/ bye UK spelling byes

  1. 01 A1 Beginner Informal

    interj.a short, friendly way to say goodbye when you leave someone.

    interj.a conventional formulaic closing used upon parting. Informal in register.

    Simple

    I have to go now, so bye for now and see you tomorrow.

    In context

    She shouted a quick bye over her shoulder as she hurried to catch the departing train.

    hellohi
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    n.when a team or player moves to the next part of a competition without having to play a game.

    n.the status of a competitor who is excused from playing in a particular round of a tournament and advances automatically.

    Simple

    Because they were the top team, they got a bye in the first round.

    In context

    The defending champion received a bye into the second round, allowing him an extra day of recovery before his first match.

    passautomatic advancement

Etymology 1

Variant form of by, from Old English bī (“being near”).

Etymology 2

Shortened form of goodbye.

Etymology 3

Alternative forms.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old English bī
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Common
Updated