goodbye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "goodbye" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a farewell expression when parting from someone. Example: "As we finished our conversation, I waved and said goodbye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Lifestyle

Books

TV & Radio

Business

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the chaos of saying goodbye, we missed a few hugs.

The Guardian - Travel

It was with sadness the following morning that I said goodbye to the women and their kids, amid promises to meet up in London.

The Guardian - Travel

BS: "What are your future plans?" HZ: "I think I have said goodbye to journalism, but I will keep writing books, because that's my bread-and-butter now.

The Guardian

And with that, Percy - who's listening to the interview - taps his watch and signals it's time to say goodbye.

The Guardian

But the question most observers ask is how long his goodbye will be - and nobody believes that the expulsion by itself will stop him.

The Guardian

I gave my routine homily about future limits, offered what advice I could, and said goodbye, mindful of the likely fatigue he would be suffering.

The Guardian

It may allow them to see their grandchild born, or their daughter marry or to say goodbye to their family in the way they wish.

The Guardian

We chat, swap addresses and, with promises of photos and postcards, wave the Surenthirans goodbye as they turn off towards their new-build home in Kalkudah village.

The Guardian - Travel

"The goodbye to Ancelotti was greeted by the players with tears in their eyes," said Leonardo, who has served as Milan's technical director since early last year, at his press conference.

The Guardian - Sport

So goodbye Borders, Zavvi, Tower Records, JJB Sports, MFI – I'm not sure I'm missing you.

The Guardian - Opinion

The schools lost students – Chalmers' nine-year-old daughter has said goodbye to most of her school friends.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, reflect the character's personality. A casual character might use "bye", while a more formal one would use "goodbye".

Common error

In emails or letters, avoid ending every message with "goodbye". Vary your closings with phrases like "sincerely", "regards", or "best wishes" to maintain a professional and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "goodbye" is as an interjection, used to express farewell or departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to end conversations or interactions, signaling a parting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Travel

10%

Sport

9%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8%

Books

4%

TV & Radio

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "goodbye" functions primarily as an interjection to express farewell. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. The analysis of usage patterns from Ludwig reveals that it frequently appears in News & Media, Travel and Sport content. While "goodbye" is common and acceptable, consider alternatives like "farewell" or "see you later" based on the formality of the situation. Using more descriptive alternative like "take care" or "have a good one"" may add a touch of personalization to your communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bye

A shorter, more casual form of goodbye.

farewell

A more formal and somewhat literary way of saying goodbye.

see you later

A common and informal way to indicate a future meeting.

catch you later

An informal expression implying a future meeting.

so long

An informal and slightly old-fashioned way of saying goodbye.

adios

A Spanish term for goodbye, often used informally in English.

cheerio

A British English term for goodbye, often used informally.

peace out

A slang term for goodbye, often used in casual settings.

have a good one

A wish for the other person to have a pleasant day or experience.

take care

An expression of concern for the other person's well-being as they depart.

FAQs

What's the difference between "goodbye" and "farewell"?

"Goodbye" is a common, general farewell. "Farewell" is more formal and often implies a longer or more permanent separation.

What are some informal alternatives to "goodbye"?

Informal alternatives include "bye", "see you later", "catch you later", "so long", and "peace out".

Is it correct to say "good bye" as two words?

No, "goodbye" is generally written as one word. "Good bye" is an older, less common spelling, but "goodbye" is standard today.

How can I make saying "goodbye" less sad or final?

Use phrases like "see you soon", "talk to you later", or "catch up soon" to imply a near future reunion, making the departure less heavy.