to wave goodbye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to wave goodbye" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the action of saying farewell to someone by waving your hand. An example is: "She stood at the door to wave goodbye as he drove away." Alternative expressions include "to bid farewell" and "to say goodbye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These people weren't waiting to wave goodbye.

The New York Times

The Aussies seem anxious to wave goodbye.

The Guardian - Business

This felt a fitting way to wave goodbye.

The Guardian - Sport

I didn't want to wave goodbye to a city that had introduced me to so much.

The Guardian - Music

I nodded sympathetically, turning back at the front door to wave goodbye.

The New York Times

From the back of the car, I turned to wave goodbye.

The New Yorker

Teaching an autistic child to wave goodbye, for instance, can take 40 hours of repetitive lessons.

The New York Times - Science

"They want to give him something to wave goodbye and this can only be the trophy".

The Guardian - Sport

My heart was in my mouth as I tried to catch Mummy's attention to wave goodbye.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You'll be able to wave goodbye to Miss America here for good".

The New York Times

As Kate left the centre, the students lined up to wave goodbye.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the act of permanently terminating something, consider replacing the phrase with "to bid farewell", which is more formal.

Common error

Avoid using "to wave goodbye" in contexts where a more direct or formal farewell is required. For instance, in official correspondence, "saying goodbye" or "bidding farewell" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to wave goodbye" is as an infinitive phrase, often acting as part of a verb phrase to describe an action. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various sentence structures to indicate farewell.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"To wave goodbye" is a common and grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to describe the act of waving as a farewell gesture. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media. While suitable for most contexts, it's important to consider the level of formality required and opt for alternatives like "to bid farewell" in more formal settings. The phrase is neutral in register, making it a versatile choice for expressing departures in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to say farewell

A more direct and common way to express saying goodbye.

to bid farewell

Emphasizes a formal or ceremonial act of saying goodbye.

to see off

Focuses on the act of accompanying someone to their point of departure.

to send off

Similar to 'to see off' but can also imply wishing someone well.

to say adieu

Uses a French term for goodbye, implying a touch of elegance or finality.

to wish farewell

Highlights the act of expressing good wishes upon someone's departure.

to take leave of

A more formal and sometimes archaic way of saying goodbye.

to part ways

Emphasizes the separation or divergence of paths.

to give a send-off

Focuses on the act of organizing a farewell event.

to salute departure

A metaphorical or poetic way to acknowledge a departure, not necessarily involving a physical wave.

FAQs

How can I use "to wave goodbye" in a sentence?

You can use "to wave goodbye" to describe the action of waving your hand when someone is leaving. For example, "She stood at the window "to wave goodbye" as the bus drove away."

What are some alternatives to "to wave goodbye"?

Some alternatives include "to say farewell", "to bid farewell", or simply "to say goodbye", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "to wave goodbye" formal or informal?

"To wave goodbye" is generally considered neutral in formality. It's suitable for most everyday situations, but more formal settings might call for alternatives like "to bid farewell".

What's the difference between "to wave goodbye" and "to say goodbye"?

"To wave goodbye" specifically refers to the physical gesture of waving, while "to say goodbye" encompasses any form of farewell, whether verbal or non-verbal. You can "say goodbye" without waving, but "to wave goodbye" always involves the hand gesture.