bye
18 synonyms and 0 antonyms for bye, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Intj — An informal way of saying goodbye.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
A shortened, informal variant of "goodbye," ultimately from "God be with you."
Full origin of bye →Frequently asked questions
What does “bye” mean?
The word “bye” means an informal way of saying goodbye. In plain terms, a casual farewell, or in sports, a free pass to the next round.
How do you pronounce “bye”?
“Bye” is pronounced beye (/baɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bye” in a sentence?
Here is “bye” used in a sentence: “Bye! See you tomorrow.”
What part of speech is “bye”?
Depending on how it is used, “bye” can be an intj and a noun.
Is “bye” a common word?
“Bye” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “bye” have?
“Bye” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal way of saying goodbye.
What is the difference between bye, by, and buy?
These homophones sound alike but differ completely in meaning. Bye is a casual farewell you say when leaving. By is a preposition or adverb meaning near, through, or beside, as in "stand by the door." Buy is a verb meaning to purchase something. Only bye means goodbye.
Is bye formal or informal?
Bye is informal and friendly, suited to casual partings among friends, family, and colleagues. In more formal settings you might prefer "goodbye" or "farewell." The doubled form "bye-bye" is even more casual and is often used with children or as a warm, light-hearted sign-off.
What does "bye" mean in sport?
In tournaments, a bye is a different word entirely, meaning a team or player advances to the next round without playing, usually because there is no opponent. This sporting sense is unrelated to the farewell "bye," though the two are spelled the same.