Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • interjection Used to express an acknowledgment of parting.
  • noun An acknowledgment at parting, especially by saying “goodbye.”
  • noun An act of parting or leave-taking.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • interjection farewell; a formula used to another person or persons when the speaker or writer or person addressed is departing.
  • noun An utterance of goodbye, the wishing of farewell to someone.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a farewell remark

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Alteration (influenced by good day) of God be with you.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From earlier Godby, Godby'e, Godbwye, God b'w'y, God bwy yee, God buy you, God be wi' you: each a progressively shorter contraction of God be with you, with change of God to good by confusion with good morning, good day, etc.

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Examples

Comments

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  • ...Norma Jean

    July 29, 2008

  • I heard someone the other day say goodbye as: "Toodles and cheese!". I don't know about you, but I reckon that's a new one.

    August 2, 2009