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Definition goodbye in British English

goodbye interjection

interjection
/ˌɡʊdˈbaɪ/

Ways of saying goodbye

Bye

the most common way of saying goodbye to a friend or someone you know well

an informal way of saying goodbye

an informal way of saying goodbye to someone when you expect to see them again soon

used for saying goodbye to someone you know well, when you are not sure when you will see them again

used for saying goodbye when you leave someone at night or before they go to bed

used when you say goodbye to someone you know well when they are leaving, in order to show that you care about them

used when you say goodbye to someone you know well when they are leaving to go on a journey

used for saying goodbye to someone when you have just met them for the first time

Examples:

Bye/Cheerio, thanks for coming!

I’d better go now. I have to pick the children up from school. See you later!

So long, it was really nice bumping into you.

Good night. Thanks for a great party!

Mind how you go. Give my regards to your parents.

Safe journey! Give us a ring when you get home.

Nice to meet you, Mr Mitchell. Have a good trip back to the States.

hello

1

used when you are leaving someone or when someone is leaving you, or when you are finishing a telephone call. Bye is a more informal word and is a more common way of saying goodbye to a friend or to someone you know well

Example

'Goodbye, Mr Taylor.' 'Goodbye, John.'

Synonyms and related words
Definition goodbye in British English