Dictionary-enhanced word family
Word Forms of “Goodbye”
A polite word you say when leaving someone or ending a conversation.
Word Family of Goodbye
What is the noun of goodbye? — goodbye
How to Use Each Word Form in a Sentence
- She waved and said goodbye before leaving. A1
- After the phone call, he said goodbye and hung up. A1
- The teacher said goodbye to all her students at the end of the school year. A2
Origin and Word Formation of Goodbye
Contraction of 'God be with you' (good + bye from 'be with you'); first recorded 1573.
Common in English-speaking countries; equivalent to 'au revoir' in French or 'auf Wiedersehen' in German.
Common Word Form Mistakes with Goodbye
Wrong: I waved him and said him goodbye.
Correct: I waved to him and said goodbye (or I said goodbye to him).
The verb 'say' takes an indirect object with 'to'; use 'say goodbye to someone'.
Frequently Asked Questions About Word Forms of Goodbye
What are the word forms of “goodbye”?
The confirmed forms are shown in the word family cards above. Missing parts of speech are hidden instead of filled with placeholder text.
What part of speech is “goodbye”?
“goodbye” is primarily a interj. Some forms above show how the same root works as other parts of speech.
Where does “goodbye” come from?
Contraction of 'God be with you' (good + bye from 'be with you'); first recorded 1573.