waving goodbye

USAGE SUMMARY

'waving goodbye' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are saying farewell to someone. For example, "My family and I stood on our porch, waving goodbye as our relatives drove away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My family was waving goodbye.

The Guardian - Opinion

I see my son waving goodbye.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everyone, conductor included, is waving goodbye.

The New York Times - Books

Fear you'll be waving goodbye to flavour?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Out of the frame, waving goodbye, stands Pham Xuan An.

The New Yorker

Waving goodbye to Ralph felt like a bereavement.

Independent

"We'll talk later," Letitia called to Sarah, waving goodbye and hurrying off to Amber.

The New Yorker

"It's not like when we were waving goodbye from a dock," Mrs. Shields said.

The New York Times

The only handkerchiefs he wants to see will be waving goodbye to unfair stereotypes.

Independent

Before the end the Red Army of fans was waving goodbye to Wallaby supporters leaving early.

Independent

The Baby has a new habit of waving goodbye to everything, which breaks her heart.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waving goodbye" to describe a visual act of farewell, often implying a degree of emotion or finality. This phrase is well-suited for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "waving goodbye" when the farewell is not visual or when a more formal expression is appropriate. For instance, instead of "waving goodbye to the company", consider "resigning from the company" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waving goodbye" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun or part of a continuous verb form. It describes the action of performing a farewell wave, which Ludwig confirms is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waving goodbye" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a visual act of farewell, as verified by Ludwig. Predominantly found in the News & Media, the phrase functions as a gerund phrase and serves to express closure and acknowledgement of departure. While versatile, "waving goodbye" is best suited for contexts where a visual farewell is taking place, and alternative phrases like "bidding farewell" may be more appropriate in formal situations. With its frequent use and clear meaning, "waving goodbye" remains a reliable choice for expressing farewell in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bidding farewell

This alternative replaces the gerund form of "waving" with the verb "bidding", creating a slightly more formal tone.

saying farewell

This option replaces "waving" with the more general action of "saying", focusing on the act of farewell rather than the gesture.

seeing off

This is an idiomatic expression that means to be present at the departure of someone, either physically or metaphorically.

farewelling

This is an act of doing farewell.

parting ways

This phrase describes the action of separating from someone, often implying a more significant or permanent separation.

taking leave

More formal and emphasizes the act of departing or separating.

giving a send-off

Emphasizes the act of providing a celebratory or supportive departure.

taking leave of

Implies a formal or respectful departure, often used in literary contexts.

wishing godspeed

An old-fashioned expression meaning to wish someone success on a journey or undertaking.

off on their way

Describes the action of someone starting a journey.

FAQs

How can I use "waving goodbye" in a sentence?

You can use "waving goodbye" to describe the act of saying farewell with a wave, like: "We were "waving goodbye" as the train departed." It can also be used figuratively, such as: "She was "waving goodbye" to her old life."

What's a more formal way to express the same idea as "waving goodbye"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "bidding farewell", "taking leave of", or "offering a valediction". Each of these phrases provides a more elevated and respectful way of expressing departure.

What are some less formal alternatives to "waving goodbye"?

In less formal settings, you might use phrases like "seeing off", or "saying bye". These alternatives are more casual and suitable for everyday conversation.

When is it inappropriate to use "waving goodbye"?

Avoid using "waving goodbye" when a more specific or descriptive phrase is needed. For example, instead of "He was "waving goodbye" to his responsibilities", consider "He was shirking his responsibilities". Also, it should not be used in contexts where the farewell is not visual.