see you later

USAGE SUMMARY

"see you later" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are saying goodbye to someone in a casual way, either in spoken conversation or written communication. For example: "I'm heading out now, see you later!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"See you later, darling".

The New York Times

See you later, collaborator!

The New York Times

See you later, buddy".

The New Yorker

moment: See you later.

The New York Times

See you later, grandpa!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe I'll see you later".

The New Yorker

Well, see you later, Valrhona".

The New York Times - Food

See you later, knife.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Then, see you later".

The New York Times - Sports

see you later.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'll see you later".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "see you later" in casual settings with people you expect to encounter again. It's suitable for friends, family, and colleagues.

Common error

Avoid using "see you later" in highly formal situations, such as addressing superiors or in official correspondence. Opt for more professional alternatives like "goodbye" or "farewell" in those contexts.

How to use

Learn how to use "see you later" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "see you later" is as an interjection or parting phrase. It serves to conclude a conversation or interaction with a casual expression of farewell, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. The expression conveys an expectation or hope of meeting again.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "see you later" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used as a casual farewell. Ludwig confirms its appropriateness for informal contexts, such as interactions with friends, family, and colleagues. It is frequently found in News & Media, but less common in formal or academic settings. When in doubt, consider the register of your audience and choose a more formal alternative like "goodbye" or "farewell" for professional contexts. While "see you later" implies a future meeting, alternatives such as "take care" offer a general expression of goodwill when parting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

later

A very short and informal version of "see you later".

catch you later

An informal alternative, implying a casual future encounter.

i'll be seeing you

A slightly more emphatic and personal farewell.

so long

An informal farewell, similar in tone to "see you later" but less common.

goodbye

A more standard and versatile farewell, lacking the implication of a future meeting.

take care

A general expression of goodwill when parting, without necessarily implying a future meeting.

until next time

A more formal way of saying goodbye, suggesting a future meeting.

have a good one

An informal farewell, wishing the other person well.

farewell

A more formal and sometimes final-sounding farewell.

we'll meet again

Expresses a hope or expectation of a future meeting.

FAQs

What does "see you later" mean?

"See you later" is a casual way of saying goodbye, implying that you expect to meet the person again at some point.

What can I say instead of "see you later"?

You can use alternatives like "goodbye", "farewell", or "catch you later" depending on the context.

Is "see you later" formal or informal?

"See you later" is generally considered informal and is best used in casual settings with friends, family, or colleagues.

When is it inappropriate to use "see you later"?

It's usually inappropriate to use "see you later" in formal situations, such as addressing superiors, in official correspondence, or in highly professional settings. More formal alternatives like "goodbye" or "farewell" are more suitable.