Goodbye
/ɡʊdˈbaɪ/
Definitions
2 meaningsAn expression of farewell; a word used when leaving or ending a conversation.
/ɡʊdˈbaɪ/
Used to express farewell.
Goodbye, I'm going home now.
💡 Simply: It's like saying 'see ya later!' or 'have a good one!' when you're leaving or finishing a chat. Like when you wave goodbye to your friend after playing at the park.
👶 For kids: Saying 'goodbye' is like saying 'bye bye' or 'see ya later!' when you're going home or leaving a place.
More Examples
She waved goodbye and smiled.
They said their goodbyes before the train departed.
How It's Used
"I said goodbye to my friends before leaving the party."
The act of saying farewell or departure.
/ɡʊdˈbaɪ/
An act of saying farewell.
The goodbyes were long and emotional.
💡 Simply: It's the moment of saying 'bye'! Think of it as the moment you say your final words as you depart, maybe at the end of a party or a vacation.
👶 For kids: When you say 'goodbye' as a special thing, like when you're sad to leave a party, that's a 'goodbye'.
More Examples
We shared a round of goodbyes before departing.
Their goodbyes lasted longer than expected.
How It's Used
"We exchanged goodbyes before the ceremony began."
Idioms & expressions
Say goodbye to...
To accept the loss or end of something; to relinquish hope for something.
"If the company doesn't adapt, they'll have to say goodbye to their market share."
From Middle English *god bī dē*, meaning 'God be with you'. Originally a longer phrase, it gradually shortened.
Used since the late 16th century, gradually replacing earlier farewells.
Memory tip
Think of saying 'good' things as you 'bye' or leave.