goodbye — used to express good wishes when parting or at the end of a conversation
Part of speech: INTERJECTION
Definition: used to express good wishes when parting or at the end of a conversation
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɡʊdˈbaɪ/
Example Sentences
- My cat waves its paw whenever I say goodbye - I think it learned it from watching too many movies!
- She couldn't say goodbye to her favorite coffee mug, so she packed it in her suitcase.
- It's time to say goodbye to summer and hello to pumpkin spice everything.
goodbye
INTERJECTION[/ɡʊdˈbaɪ/]
used to express good wishes when parting or at the end of a conversation
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Goodbye originated from the Middle English phrase 'God be with ye,' a religious benediction wishing divine protection upon someone departing. The phrase underwent gradual contraction during the 17th century, passing through forms like 'good-b'wi ye' and 'good-bye' before stabilizing into the modern single word, marking a shift from sacred blessing to everyday farewell.
Breakdown
good (well, favorably) + bye (from 'be with ye' — contracted form of 'God be with you'). The word represents a semantic shift where a religious invocation became lexicalized as a casual parting expression.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat waves its paw whenever I say goodbye - I think it learned it from watching too many movies!”
“She couldn't say goodbye to her favorite coffee mug, so she packed it in her suitcase.”
“It's time to say goodbye to summer and hello to pumpkin spice everything.”
“Don't say goodbye - just say 'see you later, alligator!'”
📚Related Words
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