What does "bye" mean?

1. (saying goodbye) a short, friendly way to say goodbye when you leave someone. 2. (sports tournament) when a team or player moves to the next part of a competition without having to play a game.

bye

US //ˈbaɪ// UK //bˈaɪ// bye

1 saying goodbye (interj.)
A1 Beginner Informal

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

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

Example

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

Example

She shouted a quick bye over her shoulder as she hurried to catch the departing train.
- hello
- hi
2 sports tournament (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

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

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

Example

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

Example

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

Etymology 1

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

Etymology 2

Shortened form of goodbye.

Etymology 3

Alternative forms.