bid goodnight

USAGE SUMMARY

"bid goodnight" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a formal way of saying "say goodnight" or "wish goodnight." Example: As the party came to an end, the host stood at the door to bid goodnight to each of his guests.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Strangers bid goodnight to one another and walked down the hill.

The New York Times

Even in the more elegant, private lean-to's you sleep with people you might normally bid goodnight after dinner.

The New York Times - Arts

American soldiers in Iraq beam themselves home over Web cams; parents on business trips (including President-elect Barack Obama) bid goodnight to their children, face-to-onscreen-face.

The New York Times

Time to bid goodnight to the box turtles, to the egrets, to the rufous-sided towhees warbling farewell from the trees.

The New York Times

As I bid goodnight to my friend Jessica Diehl, the Vanity Fair style director, on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she wailed, "My feet are on fire".

The New York Times

As he was being bid goodnight by Kenan Thompson, who plays the host of the recurring "Saturday Night Live" sketch "What Up With That?", Mr. Jackson appeared to utter at least part of an obscene word, then spoke another as Mr. Thompson comically chided him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But as she bids goodnight to the audience, she alternates between fluent Hindi and English.

The New York Times

Bidding goodnight to Francine, John and I set off in the dark to find both quinzhee and tent.

Independent

A pyjama'd rabbit tries to delay lights-out by bidding goodnight to everything in his room.

The Guardian - Books

In that slim volume, exquisitely illustrated by Clement Hurd, the parental reader bids goodnight to all the objects in the rabbit's room.

The New Yorker

Where Margaret Wise Brown's 1947 story ends with the peaceful wish, "Goodnight stars, Goodnight air, Goodnight noises everywhere", Milgrim's, published in the US by Penguin, instead bids goodnight to a host of modern technological appliances.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bid goodnight" in formal writing or when aiming for a more sophisticated tone. For instance, in literature or historical narratives, it adds a touch of elegance.

Common error

Avoid using "bid goodnight" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound unnatural or overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "say goodnight" or "goodnight" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

Bid goodnight functions as a verb phrase expressing the act of saying farewell at the end of the day. Ludwig shows that it's often used to describe a formal or conscious act of taking leave.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bid goodnight" is a grammatically sound phrase that serves as a more formal alternative to "say goodnight". As highlighted by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts and is suitable for formal writing. When considering related phrases, it's essential to balance formality with natural language. While grammatically correct, the phrase may seem out of place in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

say goodnight

This is a more common and informal alternative.

wish goodnight

Similar in meaning, but focuses on expressing a wish for a good night.

give a goodnight

Similar to "offer a goodnight", but slightly more personal.

offer a goodnight

This suggests a brief and polite farewell.

exchange goodnights

Highlights the reciprocal nature of saying goodnight.

extend goodnight greetings

This is a more elaborate and formal way to express the same sentiment.

part with a goodnight

Emphasizes the act of separating after exchanging goodnight wishes.

take my leave for the night

This phrase indicates departure and the end of the day's activities.

retire for the evening

This refers to going to bed or ending social activities for the night.

take a recess

This is a different way of expressing that you are going to leave.

FAQs

How to use "bid goodnight" in a sentence?

You can use "bid goodnight" to describe the act of saying goodnight in a formal or literary context. For example, "As the evening concluded, she "bid goodnight" to her guests".

What's the difference between "bid goodnight" and "say goodnight"?

"Bid goodnight" is more formal and less common than the expression "say goodnight". "Bid" implies a more deliberate or ceremonial farewell.

Which is correct, "bid goodnight" or "bade goodnight"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "bid goodnight" is the present tense form, while "bade goodnight" is the past tense. Choose the form that matches the tense of your sentence.

What can I say instead of "bid goodnight"?

You can use alternatives like "say goodnight", "wish goodnight", or simply "goodnight" depending on the context.