See you around

USAGE SUMMARY

"See you around" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it as a casual way to say goodbye, implying that you expect to see the person again in the future. Example: "Thanks for hanging out today! See you around." Alternative expressions include "Catch you later," "Talk to you soon," and "Until next time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Informal conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

See you around.

The New York Times

"Well, see you around".

The New Yorker

"I'll see you around," he said, finally.

The New York Times

"Well, see you around, I guess".

The New Yorker

I'll see you around in the Mariposa some time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If I don't see you around, I'll just assume you're doing that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Ain't seen you around lately".

The New Yorker

I've seen you around and was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch together sometime.

WikiHow

When they see you're on the site, they might add you, because they've seen you around.

WikiHow

All you need to say is, "Hi my name is (your name here) and I've seen you around.

WikiHow

If the conversation is good keep it going, say "my friends call me this" or "I've seen you around".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is excellent for maintaining a friendly but non-committal relationship because it does not require setting a specific time for the next meeting.

Common error

Do not use "See you around" in formal emails to clients or superiors. It can come across as overly nonchalant or even dismissive in a professional hierarchy. Stick to more structured closings like "Best regards" or "Sincerely" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

"See you around" serves as a parting salutation or valediction. It is a shortened form of the sentence "I will see you around". According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a socially cohesive interjection that closes an interaction without a definitive end to the relationship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki & General Guides

25%

Social Media & Informal Prose

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academic

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI, "See you around" is a highly effective and common idiom for ending conversations in a friendly, casual manner. It is particularly useful in environments where people share a physical location but do not have scheduled interactions. While it is a staple of contemporary journalism and informal writing, users should be cautious about its use in strictly professional or formal settings. The phrase maintains a positive social bond by suggesting that future encounters are expected and welcome, making it a warmer alternative to a simple "goodbye".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Catch you later

More casual and implies a stronger likelihood of another meeting soon.

I'll be seeing you

Slightly more traditional and rhythmic, often suggesting a fond farewell.

Talk to you soon

Shifts the focus from physical presence to verbal or digital communication.

Later

A highly clipped, informal version used primarily among peers.

Take care

Adds a layer of personal well-wishing to the goodbye.

Until next time

More structured and often used in professional or broadcast settings.

Good seeing you

Focuses on the interaction that just occurred rather than the next one.

Bye for now

Emphasizes that the separation is temporary.

See you then

Used specifically when a future meeting time has already been established.

So long

A more old-fashioned and sometimes more permanent sounding farewell.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "See you around"?

Depending on how casual you want to be, you can use alternatives like "catch you later", "take care" or "until next time".

Is "See you around" formal or informal?

It is considered informal. While it is perfectly acceptable in news media and casual writing, as shown in Ludwig examples, it is rarely found in "academic writing" or "legal documents".

What is the difference between "See you" and "See you around"?

The phrase "see you" is a general goodbye, whereas "See you around" specifically implies that you expect to encounter the person within a general vicinity or shared community.

Can I use "See you around" in a business email?

It is generally too casual for a first-time or high-stakes business email. If you have a very relaxed relationship with a coworker, it might be fine, but "talk to you soon" is often a safer professional alternative.