goodbye

Everyday

1. Goodbye is what you say when you leave someone or when they leave. tree →
2. A goodbye is the act of saying this: a sad goodbye. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons about manners, saying goodbye politely when you leave a friend's house, a shop or a phone call is good manners: «Goodbye, and thank you for having me». Shorter and more casual: bye, bye-bye, see you, see you later, cheerio (UK), catch you later; in Australia and New Zealand «see ya» or «hooroo» (Aus, old-fashioned). In stories a goodbye can be sad, like moving away or the death of a pet. Phrases: say goodbye, wave goodbye, kiss goodbye, goodbye for now.

Examples

• Say goodbye to Grandma before we leave. tree →
• Goodbye! See you tomorrow! tree →
• We waved goodbye to Dad at the station. tree →
• Saying goodbye to my best friend was very sad. tree →
• It's polite to say goodbye when you hang up the phone. tree →
• We said a last goodbye to our old dog. tree →
• «Goodbye, Miss Clark!» the children called. tree →
• Bye-bye, little kitten! tree →
• So, goodbye for the present, you will soon see me back.” tree →

Note

Usually one word: «goodbye»; plural «goodbyes». «Say goodbye to someone». Ordinary goodbye is informal enough for all situations; «bye» is more casual. «Goodbye» comes from an old phrase meaning «God be with you».