goodbye
- 01 A1 Beginner
interj.a word you say when you or another person is leaving.
interj.a conventional formula used at the time of parting.
Simple“She waved and said goodbye as she stepped onto the train.”
In context“Goodbye, and please do not hesitate to contact our office if any further complications arise during your journey.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
n.the act of saying the word goodbye or the moment when people leave each other.
n.an utterance of farewell or the occasion of parting.
Simple“It was a sad goodbye at the airport because they wouldn't see each other for months.”
In context“The long-serving CEO gave a brief, emotional goodbye to the staff before clearing his desk for the final time.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to say the word goodbye to someone.
v.to express a farewell to someone upon their departure.
Simple“They stood on the porch and goodbyed their guests as the car drove off.”
In context“The villagers gathered at the quay to goodbye the sailors away on their long expedition across the Atlantic.”
Usageoften used with 'to' or in the phrase 'goodbye someone away'
Synonymsbid farewellAntonyms
From earlier goodby, Godby, Godby'e, Godbwye, God b'w'y, God bwy yee, God buy you, God be wi' you, each a progressively shorter contraction of God be with ye or God be with you. Note the change of God to good by confusion with good morning, good night, etc. Modernly analysed as good + bye.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.