Nice word to say goodbye

You’re about to learn 20 new words for goodbye in English. Also check out 27 Different Ways to Say Thank You (And How to Reply).

What’s wrong with this conversation?

SONIA: Goodbye, Eric.
ERIC: Goodbye, Sonia.
SONIA: Goodbye, Yasemin.
YASEMIN: Goodbye, Sonia.
SONIA: Goodbye, Ranjit.
RANJIT: Goodbye, Sonia.

No one in this conversation seems to know that there are lots of different ways to say goodbye in English.

I mean LOTS of ways!

Well, at least 19.

But first …

How to end a conversation in English

OK. It’s very useful to know how to say goodbye in English.

But how do you fit it into a conversation?

I mean, can you just drop a “bye bomb” in the middle of a conversation?

I don’t think so. That would be pretty rude, right?

I’ve noticed that we usually have what I call “pre-byes” — phrases we use to show that we’re about to leave the conversation.

We use them just before saying goodbye.

Here’s how they look:

Signal word	Pre-bye
OK …	Nice talking with you.
Right …	I’ve gotta go / run / split!
So …	I’m off!
All right, then …	Great to see you.

Then we can say goodbye …

There are fun ways to say goodbye.

And there are more standard ways to say goodbye.

Just like dessert, I like to save the fun things for last.

So here are some standard ways to say goodbye in English.

Bye!

It’s like “goodbye” but shorter!

It’s efficient and sounds good.

Bye bye!

Is “bye” just too … short?

Well, why not just say it twice?

But three times?

No. That would be mad.

Be careful with this one!

It’s often used with kids if you pronounce both words equally.

If you use it with adults, remember to only stress the second “bye” so that it sounds more like “bu-BYE.”

Until tomorrow

OK. Obviously, you only say this if you’re going to see the other person tomorrow.

If you say this to someone you’re never going to see again, like an air stewardess or a taxi driver, then that might be a bit confusing.

If you say it to your favourite actor when you meet him at a book signing, then that would even be creepy.

The good news is that you can change “tomorrow” for whenever it is you’re going to see them again.

So you can say “until next week” or “until Friday” or even “until later.”

Take care

This one’s nice — it shows you care but isn’t too informal or close.

We also often mix this with one of the other words on this list.

So we might say something like, “Bye. Take care!”

Good night!

OK, a couple of things here.

This is, obviously, only used late in the evening. You know, at night.

It’s also the only “good” + time of day structure that also means “goodbye.”

“Good morning” and “good afternoon” just mean “hello.”

More creative and fun ways to say goodbye

OK. Time for dessert!

When you’re with your friends, you might want to use some of these more fun ways of saying goodbye.

See you later

I like this one.

It kind of means “Don’t worry — this isn’t the end! We’ll meet again!”

When I was a kid we would also say, “See you later, alligator.”

Sometimes, we’d even get the reply, “in a while, crocodile.”

Oh, how we laughed.

We can also say, “see you soon” or “see you tonight” or “see you on the 14th” or “see you after work” or … well, you get the idea.

See ya!

It’s short for “see you later.”

Sometimes we’d extend this with “See ya! Wouldn’t wanna be ya!”

Because people who like each other sometimes like showing that they like each other by saying bad things to each other.

Why?

I don’t know. Humans are weird.

Laters

This is very casual.

It’s got a friendly, light-hearted feeling to it.

Some people also like just saying “later.”

Catch ya later

OK — so “see you later” is getting boring?

Change the verb!

Take it easy!

And why not?

Easy is good, right?

Have a good one!

This one’s rather British and is one that I use quite a lot.

I like it because it sort of means “enjoy yourself.”

You can also say, “Have a good day,” “Have a good evening,” “Have a good flight,” “Have a good holiday,” “Have a good afternoon,” and so on.

Ciao (for now)

OK. Not technically English.

“Ciao” is Italian and can be used to mean either “hi” or “bye.”

It rhymes with “now.”

It’s quite funny to mix the Italian and the English like this, right?

So we do.

Adios

Yep — this one definitely isn’t English.

But it kind of is because more and more people are using it to mean “goodbye.”

Maybe one day all the languages in the world will come together and become one massive mega-language.

But probably not.

Cheerio

OK. This one is very, very British and a little old fashioned.

But because it’s quite old fashioned, when we use it, we lighten the mood.

It gives us a sense of nostalgia and feels quite ironic.

It’s fun!

---

OK. That’s it — 20 ways to say goodbye in English.

Which words for goodbye are your favourites?

Why?

Let me know in the comments.

But for now, I’m saying “cheerio.”

Cheerio.

How To Say “Goodbye” Without Saying “Goodbye”

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LanguageTool

“Goodbyes” don’t have to always be so heavy. They can be casual, fun, and friendly too! Below you’ll find 13 synonyms for “goodbye.”

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Have a good one — то же самое. Его очень любят американцы.

Anything else? — No, thanks. — Ok, have a good one, sir!

(Что-нибудь еще? — Нет, спасибо. — Ок, приятного дня, сэр)

Take care — Пока! Будь здоров. Нейтральное выражение, его обычно не употребляют в отношении близких друзей и родственников. Используйте “take care”, если вы не увидите человека в течение по крайней мере следующей недели.

I have to go now. — Ok, take care.

(Мне нужно идти. — Хорошо, тогда пока)

See you later / See you — Увидимся! Универсальная фраза, ее можно использовать с любым человеком.

It’s already 10 o’clock! See you later!

(Уже 10! Увидимся позже!)

Catch you later — До скорого. Не используется в официальной ситуации.

Catch you later then? — Yes, tomorrow at the party.

(Тогда до скорого? — Да, завтра увидимся на вечеринке)

Farewell. — Прощай. Очень драматичное выражение, предполагает, что вы больше с человеком не встретитесь никогда. Редко используется в жизни, если только в театре или кино.

I guess this is it. — Yes, farewell, Mr. Thomason.

(Вот и все. — Да, прощайте, Мистер Томасон)

Jane is waiting for me. Later.

(Джейн меня ждет. До скорого)

So long — Пока, до встречи. Не распространенное выражение; часто, например, используется в газетных заголовках. Вы можете встретить следующее:

So long, suckers!

(Счастливо оставаться, неудачники!)

All right then — Ну, пока. Популярно на юге США.

See you tomorrow, Matt. — All right then.

(До завтра, Мэт. — Ок, пока)

Take it easy — Пока, бывай.

My girlfriend has arrived. I gotta go. — Take it easy.

(Моя девушка пришла. Пойду. — Давай, пока.)

Cheerio / Cheers (Br.E.) — Пока. Cheers — это еще “Будем! Ваше здоровье” при потреблении алкогольных напитков.

Looks like my train finally. Cheerio!

(По ходу это мой поезд, наконец. Пока!)

Inabit (Br.E.) — До скорого. От “See you in a bit” — увидимся скоро.

The class has already started. Bye. — Inabit.

(Урок уже начался. Пока. — До скорого)

Peace! / Peace out. — Бывай! Пока. Изначально “гетто” английский. Очень разговорный способ, популярный среди реперов.

It’s time. We’re leaving now. — Peace out.

(Пока. Мы пойдем. — Пока)

I’m out! / I’m out of here — Пошел-ка я отсюда; я сваливаю; все пока.

I’m out. Gotta go and see Chris.

(Я пошел. Нужно встретится с Крисом)

I gotta roll / I gotta run / I gotta hit The road / I gotta head out — Мне пора; я побежал.

Man, it’s 6 o’clock. I gotta roll.

(Блин, уже 6 часов. Мне пора)

Toodle-oo — очень забавный способ сказать “Пока”. Вы рассмешите людей, сказав “Toodle-oo!”

OK see you soon, Toodle-oo!

(Ладно, увидимся. Покашеньки!)

Toodle-pip — очень один смешной способ попрощаться.

It’s late, I’d better go home, toodle-pip!

(Поздно, я лучше пойду домой, чаошеньки!)

See you later alligator — Популярная (не только среди детей, но и взрослых) фраза с рифмой, у которой, кстати, есть и продолжение:

See you later alligator! — In a while crocodile!

(Увидимся, алигатор! — До скорого, крокодил)

Иностранные выражения:

Adios. — испанское слово, часто используемое носителями английского (обычно американцами). Нередко комбинируется с “amigos”:

Adios, amigos!

Have a good day!

Wishing someone a good day, good evening, or good weekend is always a kind gesture. This expression is used both in spoken and in written form, which means you can use it to end a conversation face-to-face, on the telephone or at the end of an email.

It was wonderful to talk with you. I must be going. I’ve got to _____.

If you are chatting with someone or talking on the phone, this is a very polite way to end a conversation. Everyone is busy and there is always something else to do (another business meeting, a phone call, children to pick up from school, etc.), so, of course, you cannot talk all day.

“I’ve got to ___” is an easy way to give a reason for ending the conversation. For example:

“It was great to talk with you but I must be going. I’ve got to ___

• join a conference call in 5 minutes
• pick up the kids from school
• share this information with my boss
• get to a meeting
• finish running my errands*

You can use any reason you might have but make sure it’s true!

*To run errands = to make a short, quick trip to do something such as go to the post office, go grocery shopping, buy some milk, pick up the dry cleaning, etc.

It was great to talk with you. I look forward to seeing you again soon (or talking with you again soon).

Instead of simply saying “goodbye,” use this kind expression to end the conversation on a positive note.

You can use it for face-to-face conversations or for the telephone – just be careful about using “seeing you again soon” vs. “talking with you again soon.” We use “see” for face-to-face conversations and “talk” for the telephone.

It was great to see you again. Have a good day/weekend/evening.

Similar to the previous expression, this provides an alternative expression for saying goodbye in professional settings. And it’s particularly nice to hear because everyone is happy at the end of the work day or end of the work week.

Goodbye or goodbye is a very common word used in our conversation when we are seeing off our friends and family. here is the list of all important sweet and slang words used in place of goodbye. Normally at the end of the meeting with friends, we are confused that how to say goodbye to our friends. there are different ways to say goodbye to your friends.

Different 50 ways to say goodbye lyrics

1- I’m leavin’ on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again

2- So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight

3- Fare thee well, adios, au revoir

4- Goodbye for now and see you around

5- We’re going our separate ways, so take your time and find a better place

6- I must be movin’ on, the road is my home

7- So long and good luck to you all

8- Bye bye now, don’t cry no more

9- Time to move ahead, spread my wings and soar

10- Bye bye love, no regrets at all

11- I’m taking off, my mission is to fly high and tall

12- It’s been real, it’s been nice, see you on the flip side

13- Hasta la vista, baby, don’t let the door hit ya as you go

14- I’m out of here for good, so long and don’t look back

15- Later days, later nights, adieu my dear friend

16- Until we meet again, goodbye friends

17- See you soon, save the date and take care

18- Until next time, cheerio

19- Catch ya later, until we meet again

20- It’s been a pleasure, adieu and Godspeed

21- Smell ya later, take it easy buddy

22- Later gator, have a good time don’t worry ’bout mine

23- Bye bye now, I’m on my way

24- It’s time to go, I’ll see you soon another day

25- Bye bye now, don’t worry ’bout me

26- So long for now, no tears goodbye

27- Time for me to be on my way, cheerio and good luck all the way

28- I bid adieu, good luck and goodbye

29- Farewell for now, the sun will still shine

30- Ta ta for now, keep smiling all the time

31- Keep it real and have a blast, until we meet again at last

32- Auf Wiedersehen and take care, until we meet again somewhere

33- See you when I see you, may peace be with you

34- Until later days, have yourself a good time

35- Later alligator, it’s time to go away

36- Farewell my friends, I’ll be on my way

37- Goodbye for now, it’s been real

38- Bye bye love, I must be leavin’ on a jet plane

39- Until next time we meet again, peace out my friend

40- Have a good one, remember me when you’re gone

41- Signing off for now, so long and farewell to all

42- Bye bye now, I’m headed out of town

43- Hasta la vista and so long, until next time all around

44- Take care my friend, goodbye for now

45- Catch ya later, have a good one in the end

46- Until we meet again on another day, it’s been real and nice to know ya

47- Time for me to be gone, au revoir and peace out

48- Adios amigos and don’t worry ’bout a thing

49- See you later alligator, I’ll be on my way

50- Goodbye for now, but I’ll be back someday.

Read Also: 220+ Ways to say goodbye 

Smart ways to say goodbye

• Adios, amigos.
• After four, dinosaur.
• After three, chimpanzee!
• After two, kangaroo!
• Au revoir!
• Be careful! Don’t get mauled by a squirrel!
• Be sweet, parakeet.
• Be gone!
• Bye! I tolerate you!
• Catch you round like a rissole!
• Ciao ciao, brown cow!
• Come back when you can’t stay so long.
• Don’t forget to send a letter.
• Don’t get cut by a blade of grass!
• Don’t trip on a raindrop!
• Goodbye forever.
• Gotta go, the power of the shower compels me.
• I shall return.
• I’ll show you to the door!
• I’m late for my bus, gigantopithecus!
• I’m outta here like spit through a trumpet.
• I’m outtie.
• Make new friends on the sidewalk!
• Make sure the doormat says goodbye!
• Move out, brussels sprout!
• Never look back!
• Next time, bring more cookies.
• Peace out, rainbow trout!
• Sayonara, muchachos!
• Screw you guys, I’m going home!
• See you at the restaurant at the edge of the universe!
• See you in another life, brotha!
• See you in the future.
• See you later, aggregator!
• See you on the internet!
• See you soon, baboon!
• So long, suckers!
• Stay cool, my dude.
• Take care, polar bear!
• Take it easy, greasy. You’ve got a long way to slide.
• That’s all folks.
• Toodaloo, caribou!
• Until next time.
• We may not talk for a long time, but I hope we don’t lose touch.
• You will do well.

Download PDF

On this page we present you lots of nice and warm goodbye messages for friend.

Beautiful goodbye words for friend

Saying goodbye to you doesn’t make me sad because I know we will see each other again soon. While I’m away, enjoy every second of your spare time, because I will not leave your side when you come back. 

***

Goodbye, goodbye, baby! Don’t worry, it won’t be long, I just need to take care of something. I’ll bring you something nice, and your big sads will go away. Miss you, love you, kiss you!

***

Goodbyes are the worst, and I’m really sorry that we have to go through this. Sometimes it’s necessary to take a break and reflect on relationships. Everything is going to be alright, buddy. 

***

Goodbyes doesn’t have to be sad! Everything depends on our perception, therefore, I’m here to give you a ton of positive energy so you could stop being sad. I’ll see you soon, buddy. 

***

I love being around you, but everybody needs a break sometimes. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like anymore, it just means that I need to be alone for a while. Goodbye, bud. See you soon. 

Goodbye messages for friend

Saying goodbye to someone you love is the most terrible thing in the world. The thought of not having you in my life makes me miserable. It will never be over, but we have to say goodbye for now. 

***

Will I ever see you again? I’m not sure, but I would like it very much. Maybe in another life? Sounds good to me. I will miss you every second of my life, and I will never forget the times we’ve had. 

***

It’s okay to move on. Every person in one’s life is a source of priceless experience. I’m glad that I had a chance to meet someone as interesting and funny as you. Godspeed, mate. Keep your head up. 

***

You don’t need me to feel loved and appreciated. You will be alright. The whole world wants you to be happy, and you have to promise me that you will be happy no matter what. See you around, I guess? 

***

We’ve had a great time together. I will never forget how you could make me smile when I didn’t feel like smiling at all. Everyone will be happy to be your friend. It’s okay. Goodbye, buddy. 

Farewell quotes for friend

Saying goodbye to someone who you love more than anything in the world is the most terrible thing. I love you more than life itself, but I have no choice. Goodbye, mate. I really hope to see you again. 

***

The fact that I need to let you go is killing me. Life is unfair. I don’t think that I will ever be able to heal after that. Thank you for everything that you gave me. Thank you for all the love and support. Goodbye. 

***

Of course we will see each other again! I will never let you go, even if you beg me for it. You are my best friend, and I will do anything to protect our friendship. Can’t wait to see you again, bud! 

***

I feel so powerless right now. I can’t find the words to make you stay. I can’t do anything, actually. I just want you to know that I will miss you like crazy, and I will never forget the times we’ve had. 

***

I hate saying goodbye. It feels like we’re giving up on each other, and I will never give up on you. You are the reason I wake up every morning with a smile on my face. We will see each other again.

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Nice farewell words for friend

Saying goodbye to you feels like saying goodbye to myself. I feel like I’m losing the biggest part of my soul. I hope that you will find what you’re looking for and reach the beautiful harmony. 

***

Best friends are never saying goodbye to each other. They understand that every tough life situation is temporary and will pass eventually, and they will be together again. Till the next time, dear friend. 

***

I know I’ve been taking you for granted. I know I could’ve treated you better. And I know that I will never find a friend like you. I’m sorry for all the hurt I caused. Goodbye, fella.

***

The last hug is the hardest. I couldn’t let you go; I’m still scared that I will never see you again. My biggest support and protector. I hope that your heart will find peace, and you will be happy. Goodbye.

***

Seeing you going away feels like dying. I hope that you’ve made a right choice, and you will feel better eventually. I can’t believe I’m losing you like that. I will pray for you every night. Farewell. 

Goodbye wishes for friend

You are a very special human being. I’ve always admired your strength. But even best friends have to leave sometimes. I will never stop loving you and carrying about you, but I think we need some time to think about what we want to do with our lives.  

***

Believe it or not, saying goodbye to you wasn’t easy. You have always been my biggest support and the most loyal friend, and letting you go means losing a giant part of my soul. Whatever you do in life, please be sure to be safe and happy.

***

Saying goodbye to you is unbelievably hard. But if letting you go means making you happy, I will do it despite this severe pain in my heart. I will think of you each and every day, don’t you ever forget that. 

***

The day has come. We have to say goodbye to each other, but it doesn’t mean that I will be able to completely erase you from my memory. You will always be a part of my personality. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

***

I know that you don’t believe in destiny, but I feel like we were meant for each other. Therefore, I’m sure that no goodbye can break our bond. We will always find each other on this crazy planet. 

Farewell messages for friend

We’ve had so much fun together. My each and every day was fulfilled with laughter and joy because of your presence in it. I hope that someday we will meet and our friendship will bloom again. 

***

Friendship is the greatest thing in the world. Building it takes a lot of time and patience. Goodbyes cannot take down the walls that friends built around their little amazing world. Nothing can change the way I feel about you.

***

My heart breaks when I think about not having you in my life anymore. You have been such a huge part of it, and now I’m forced to say goodbye. I will always remember you, whatever it takes. 

***

I remember the day we met. I thought that you are the one who will make me laugh till the day I die. I still believe that; therefore, I will never be able to truly say goodbye to you, buddy. Till the next time. 

***

Our friendship is an amazing adventure that will never end. Goodbye is just a word that doesn’t mean anything. We will not see each other for a while, but destiny will always bring us back together. 

Goodbye quotes for friend

Life is an adventure. It is important to have someone who fully understands and accepts you, and let go of people who are not capable of doing that. It’s okay to say goodbye. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me. 

***

Will you remember me? Because I will be thinking of you each and every day. I know that you have no choice, but seeing you going away from me makes my heart stop. Goodbye, dear friend. Stay strong.

***

I don’t think that I will be able to find someone like you. You became such a huge part of my life, and giving up on you just feels wrong. But we can’t argue with destiny, can we? Goodbye, buddy. Take care. 

***

Life is so unfair. How can I say goodbye to my best friend? How can I agree with the fact that I won’t see your stupid smiling face again? My heart is broken. The only hope for me is that someday we will meet again.

***

How will I sleep when I know that our friendship is over? What am I supposed to do without you always being by my side? Don’t you ever forget me. Goodbye, fella. Follow your dreams. I hope it’s worth the struggle. 

It’s so hard to say goodbye to a friend. My heart is tearing apart, I feel this growing burning in my chest. I know that we will meet again someday. I will be thinking of you every single day of my life. 

***

Saying goodbye doesn’t mean forgetting someone. My whole memory was created by you, and forgetting you means forgetting my whole personality. You will always be a part of me. Keep your head up, fella. 

***

I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I have to say goodbye. Friendship is a fragile flower that can be destroyed by so many things. I wish you the best of all this world can give, but I will not be a part of your life anymore.

***

My heart breaks into a million little pieces when I think about letting you go. Our friendship is the air that I breathe, and I’ve never thought that someday I will have to give up on it. I wish you to find what you’re looking for.

***

You are going so far away from me. But it means nothing to our friendship, because it can never change the way I feel about you. Best friends are inseparable, so we have nothing to worry about. 

We meet many people on this journey called life. But not all of them will stay in our hearts forever. You’ve been a good friend to me, but it’s better to say goodbye for both of us. May your life be full of love and happiness. 

***

Farewell, my biggest support and my best adviser. I will never meet someone as loyal and kind as you, and I will never search for a friend like you. They simply don’t exist. I pray for you every single night. I love you, goodbye.

***

I wish I could make you stay with me at least for a few more days, but life can be cruel sometimes. I hope that your life will be full of love and exciting adventures. Goodbye, dear friend.

***

Distance means nothing when it comes to true friendship. We are saying goodbye to each other, but I know that our relationships will never end. May your heart find peace and harmony.

***

The most amazing years of my life are years I spent with you. You are a part of my every memory, and I will never be able to erase you from it. Goodbyes mean nothing for us. See you on the other side. 

Walking away from a good friend is the hardest thing in the whole world. I’ve never thought that someday I will have to do something like this. But it’s time to say goodbye for now. I’m wishing you the happiest life. 

***

Life without a best friend is nothing but struggle. You’ve always been there for me. I can’t believe that I’m forced to let you go. I just want you to know that wherever you are, I’m always praying for you. 

***

Life has stolen you from me. It’s unbelievably unfair that I’m losing the best person in the whole world. I will never accept the fact that I’m saying goodbye to my best friend, but it is what it is. Farewell, buddy. 

***

I’ve never imagined that one word can change my life so much. This ‘goodbye’ killed me. I will miss everything about you every second of my life, and I will never accept the fact that I have to let you go. Goodbye, dearest friend. 

***

We’ve been through so much together. I’ve never even thought about living this life without you. But now it’s goodbye, and I’m absolutely heartbroken. Take care, fella.

I wonder, will we ever meet again? I sure hope we will. But now I have to say goodbye to one of the most amazing human beings on this crazy planet. I’m praying for you every single day. 

***

Being your friend was such a roller coaster. But it was a fun ride. I wish you to become a man you’ve always wanted to be and to follow your dreams no matter what. You are so much more than you know. 

***

Goodbyes are always hard, but it doesn’t mean that they have to be painful. I love you, and I will carry this beautiful feeling through my entire life despite the fact that we are saying goodbye to each other. Stay strong.

*** 

Thousands of people on this planet have thousands of friends on Facebook and Instagram, but there is no one like you. You are the best friend I could’ve asked for. Losing you is heartbreaking. Farewell.

***

Why do you have to leave? I’m so mad that you’re leaving me here by myself. I didn’t deserve it. I hope that my tears are worth what you’re looking for. Farewell. 

At the very beginning of our friendship, I thought that we will be friends forever. But life is so unpredictable. I’m struggling to say that, but ‘goodbye’ is the only word left. I hope you will be fine.

***

I might say those words, but I don’t actually believe in what I’m saying. How can I say goodbye to someone like you? If you go away, I will lose myself completely. Please tell that we still can change something. 

***

Everything was perfect. My life was a dream come true until everything came crushing down. Saying goodbye to you is a necessity, and I know that it’s better for both of us. Someday you’ll understand. Goodbye.

***

You will always mean so much to me. Life can treat us unkindly, but I know that eventually everything will be in the right place. Goodbye, my dearest friend. May your life be full of beautiful adventures. 

***

There are decisions that can make you go mad. Nevertheless, you have to make a very tough choice at certain point in life, and it can break your heart. I know that we have to say goodbye to each other, but I have a feeling that we will meet again. Farewell, friend.

Life can be very complicated sometimes. We let go of someone we love to understand what we want to do with our lives. Solitude can be good in certain cases, and now I’m asking you to give me some time to think about what I want to do with my life. 

***

The fact that you are going away from me is so sad. I can’t believe that I have to say goodbye to the most amazing person I know. My dear best friend, nothing can ruin our friendship, so don’t you worry. Our paths will cross soon.

***

Friendship like ours is something that can never be ruined. Even when we’re saying goodbye, we know that we will meet again someday. Can’t wait to see you. Take care. 

***

Our bound helped me to cope with so much. I’m forced to say goodbye, but you know that I will never truly mean it. You will always be my best friend, and nothing can change that.

***

All I have is hope that someday we will meet again. Saying goodbye to you was the hardest decision I have ever made, and I can’t stop thinking about what could’ve happened if I had made another choice. 

It’s important to learn how to say goodbye in English because this is a crucial conversational skill to have as a new learner. In any language, saying goodbye at the end of a conversation or when leaving a group is polite. It lets the other party know that you respect them, and it makes your leave less abrupt.

In this article, we’ll go over a number of ways to say goodbye in English. We cover the most common words and phrases for a variety of situations, so you’ll never have to leave awkwardly again! 

→ Before you continue, we recommend that you read our articles on How to Say Hello in English and How to Confidently Introduce Yourself.

Start with a bonus, and download the Must-Know Beginner Vocabulary PDF for FREE!(Logged-In Member Only)

Table of Contents

1. The Two Most Common Ways to Say Goodbye in English
2. Goodbye Expressions in English for Any Situation
3. Goodbye in English Slang & Pop Culture
4. Final Thoughts

1. The Two Most Common Ways to Say Goodbye in English

In the United States, there are two goodbye words you’re going to hear often. These are:

“Goodbye“	This one is more formal, but it’s still casual enough to use with friends and family.
“Bye“	This means the exact same thing as “goodbye,” but is shorter and a little bit less formal.

If you only learn a couple ways to say goodbye in English today, it should be these. 

2. Goodbye Expressions in English for Any Situation

Now, let’s move on to more specific English phrases for goodbye. In the following sections, I’ll give you words and phrases to say goodbye based on the situation or context. I’ll also provide examples for each one, so you can see how to use them.

A- Formal

Here are some formal ways to say goodbye in English. These are fairly versatile, and you can use them in most situations that call for formal language.

“Thank you for your time.”

You can use this phrase in formal situations, after someone has offered you their time or helped you with something. This is also common after meetings or appointments. Keep in mind that you can use this phrase in both spoken and written communication. 

Example:

→ Here’s some Useful Vocabulary You Need at the Bank! 

“I enjoyed our talk.”

This is something someone would say after talking with a client, patient, or anyone else in a more formal environment. 

Example:

“It was a pleasure speaking with you.”

This is something a client may tell a customer, especially in more formal or regulated environments, such as a bank or other financial institution. 

Example:

“I look forward to our next meeting.”

People often use this phrase when they plan on seeing the other person (or people) again in a formal environment. 

Example:

“Thank you for scheduling your appointment. We’ll see you then.”

This is a common way of saying goodbye in formal situations, especially when a customer or client is leaving.

Example:

B- Making Arrangements for Another Meeting

We’ve covered how to say goodbye in formal situations, but what about when things are more laid-back? Here are some English goodbye phrases you can use to plan another meeting with a friend.

“See you later.”

This is a very common phrase to use when you’re about to part ways with a friend (or group of friends). It means that you plan on seeing them again, but you’re not sure exactly when. 

Example:

“Catch you later.”

This phrase has the exact same meaning as “see you later,” but is significantly more casual. 

Example:

“See you around.”

This one is very similar to the two phrases above. 

Example:

“See you tomorrow.”

When you say “See you tomorrow,” it means that you actually plan on seeing them tomorrow, usually because you set a date with that person. 

Example:

“See you at eight.”

In this phrase, you can replace “eight” with any other time. This is used in situations similar to the one above.

Example:

“See you in a couple weeks.”

This is something you would say to someone if you plan on meeting with them in a couple of weeks. You can replace “a couple weeks” with any other extended time period.

Example:

Additional Note

Most of the phrases in this section can also be used as a question. For example, if you want to confirm when you’ll be seeing someone next, you can say the relevant phrase as a question.

Example:

→ Want more useful phrases? Check out our list of the Top 10 Conversational Phrases! 

C. Seeing Someone Off

It can be painful to say goodbye to someone you care about, especially when you know they’ll be gone a long time, or are going somewhere far away. Here are some special goodbye phrases you can use for situations like this.

“Take care.”

Use this phrase to let someone know you want them to take care of themselves while they’re gone.

Example:

“Drive safe.”

Use this phrase to let someone know you want them to drive safely, especially if you know they’ll be driving a long distance or in dangerous driving conditions.

Example:

“Safe travels.”

This one is a more generic goodbye phrase for when someone will be traveling. It means you want them to be safe during their travels.

Example:

“Have a safe trip home.”

You can say this to someone when they’re about to leave for home.

Example:

“I’ll miss you.”

You can say this to someone you really care about before they leave. 

Example:

“Don’t be gone too long.”

If you’re really going to miss someone after they leave, you can say this to them. It shows the other person that you’ll miss them and look forward to the next time you can see them again.

Example:

“Call me when you get there.”

Say this to someone to let them know you care about their safety while traveling. It means that you expect a phone call (or text message) from them when they arrive, so you know they’re safe. This is especially common for a parent or grandparent to tell their child or grandchild.

Example:

“I love you.”

Many times, saying goodbye to someone we care about involves saying “I love you,” especially if it will be a while before you see them again.

Example:

“Farewell.”

This goodbye phrase may be a little bit outdated, but some people still say this. It’s basically a way of letting the other person know you want them to be safe while they’re away.

Example:

D. Leaving a Group or Party in a Hurry

It can be very awkward to leave a group of people without saying anything. If you need to quickly say goodbye in English conversations involving a lot of people, there are a few phrases you can use to let people know you’ll be leaving soon.

“I gotta run / fly / jet.”

This is a very informal way of letting people know you’re about to leave, and is fine for any kind of casual gathering. The words “run,” “fly,” and “jet” are pretty much interchangeable, as they all mean that you need to leave quickly. 

Example:

“I’ll need to get going soon.”

This is a slightly more formal and polite way of saying that you need to leave. It’s not really saying “goodbye,” but it’s a way of letting others know you’ll have to go. 

Example:

“I can’t stay much longer.”

This phrase is almost the same as the one above. 

Example:

“There’s someplace I need to be.”

You can use this phrase to let others know you need to leave in order to be somewhere else, especially if it’s another responsibility you have. ‘

Example:

“Sorry to leave so soon, but I have to ___.”

With this goodbye phrase, you can actually let others know the reason you need to leave. In some cases, this can make your leaving seem less rude or abrupt. 

Example:

“I’m off.”

This is another slightly informal way of letting others know you need to leave. It’s almost the same as “I gotta run.” 

Example:

E. Wishing Someone Well

When you’re about to part ways with someone, it’s considered very polite to wish them well, especially if you know the person. Here are some common ways people in the United States do this.

“Have a nice day.”

This is probably the most common way to wish someone well before saying goodbye. It’s just a simple wish for the other person to have a good day from that point on.

Example:

“Have a great rest of your ___.”

This phrase is almost the same as the one above. Here, you can fill in the blank with any amount of time.

Example:

“Take it easy.”

This one might sound strange, but it’s just a way to wish the other person a good day. More specifically, it means that you want them to enjoy themself and stay safe.

Example:

“Have a good one.”

In this phrase, “one” refers to a day. It’s exactly the same as telling someone to “Have a good day,” but it’s a little bit more casual.

Example:

“Well…”

The word “well” is very versatile in English, and in this case, it acts as a transition word. People use it often as a way of leading into a goodbye. Sometimes, the other person will understand the hint and say goodbye themselves.

Example:

“Well, I’d best get to it.”

This is a good way of politely ending a conversation, especially if you have something you need to do and the other person won’t stop talking.

Example:

“I won’t keep you any longer.”

If you’re lucky, this is what your neighbor will say to you afterward. It’s basically a roundabout way of saying goodbye.

Example:

F. Asking Someone to Keep in Touch

When you ask someone to “keep in touch,” you’re letting them know that you want to hear from, or spend time with, them again. Here are a few common parting phrases you can use to do this.

“Keep in touch.”

This is the most straightforward way to let someone know you want to talk again. 

Example:

“Call me later.” 

You can say this to someone if you want them to call you later.

Example:

“I’ll call you later.”

This is what you can say when the roles are reversed, or just if you want to call the person later.

Example:

“When can I call you?”

Either you or your friend can ask this, depending on the situation.

Example:

“When can I expect your call?”

Again, you can use this one when the roles are reversed.

Example:

“Talk to you later.”

This is very similar to “See you later,” but it actually has more to do with talking to the person.

Example:

“Don’t be a stranger.”

When you tell someone “Don’t be a stranger,” it’s a way of letting them know you want to see and talk with them often.

Example:

G. Letting Someone Know You Enjoyed Seeing Them

Imagine you’ve just spent the day with your best friend, whom you hadn’t seen in years. You’ll want to tell him or her how much you enjoyed seeing them and spending time together.

“It was nice seeing you / talking with you.”

This is a very common way to say goodbye in English, and you can use it in both formal and informal situations. 

Example:

“Always nice talking with you.”

This is almost the same as the phrase above, but this one is normally used with people you see from time to time.

Example:

“I’m so glad we had a chance to catch up.”

This is something you might say to a friend you haven’t seen in a long time, especially if you were able to learn new details about each other’s lives while talking.

Example:

“We’ll have to do this more often.”

This is something you might say to a friend you really enjoy spending time with, but haven’t been seeing as much lately.

Example:

“I hope we can do this again sometime soon.”

This one is very similar to the one above. 

Example:

H. Goodbye Phrases for Texting or Talking on the Phone

Today, so much of our communication is done over the phone. Here are a few ways you can say goodbye to someone via text or while talking on the phone.

Texting 

Phrase	Situation	Example
BRB (Be Right Back)	Use this when you need to stop texting for a little while, but plan on texting more in a few minutes.	You: “BRB. Dinner.”Friend: “Ok.”
G2g or Gtg (Got To Go)	Use this when you need to stop texting for a longer while, and probably won’t be able to talk anytime soon.	You: “G2g. Very busy.”Friend: “Ok.”
TTYL (Talk To You Later)	Use this when you need to stop texting, but want to text again sometime in the near future.	You: “G2g.”Friend: “TTYL.”
Bye	Use this when ending a text conversation.	You: “Bye.”Friend: “Ok, bye.”

→ For more words like these, check out our English Texting Slang vocabulary list!

Talking on the Phone

Phrase	Situation	Example
“Thanks again. Bye.”	You can use this to end a phone conversation where someone helped you or answered a question for you.	You: “Can you help me close my account?”Person on Phone: “Sure…” — You: “Thanks again. Bye.”
“Well, I should be going now. Nice talking to you.”	You can use this after talking with a friend or relative on the phone.	You: “Well, I should be going now. Nice talking to you.”Relative: “Thank you. Nice talking to you too.”
“I’ll see you/talk to you then. Bye.”	You can use this phrase after making an appointment with someone over the phone.	You: “Okay, eight o’clock. I’ll see you then. Bye.”Other Person: “Okay. Bye.”

→ See our vocabulary list Useful Phrases for a Phone Call for even more!

3. Goodbye in English Slang & Pop Culture

English has some creative ways of saying goodbye. Keep in mind that the phrases and words here are very informal, and should only be used with close friends or family. 

“Smell you later.”

This is a play on words associated with the phrase “See you later,” and it means the exact same thing. There’s a lot of debate about where the phrase actually came from, but this is the best source I could find. 

Example:

“See you later, alligator.”

This phrase has nothing to do with an actual alligator. This fun English slang for goodbye is another play on words, because “gator” rhymes with “later.” In response, many people will reply with “In a while, crocodile.” 

This phrase is thought to have originated from a 1950s song titled See You Later Alligator.

Example:

“TTFN” (“Ta-ta for now.”)

TTFN stands for “ta-ta for now.” This one is less common, originally used in the UK during WWII. Anyone who knows Disney should get it, though, as the Winnie the Pooh character Tigger says goodbye to his friends this way. (“TTFN! Ta-ta for now!”)

Example:

“Cheerio.”

“Cheerio” is a word that was first used in England to say goodbye. Sometimes, people in the U.S. like saying this as well.

Example:

“Adios.”

Adios is the Spanish word for “goodbye,” but it’s pretty common to use this in the United States when saying bye to friends. 

Example:

“Ciao.”

Ciao is the French word for “goodbye,” but like adios and cheerio, it’s sometimes used in the United States when saying bye to friends.

Example:

4. Final Thoughts

In this article, we showed you some English words to say goodbye, popular goodbye phrases for any situation, and more. We hope you feel more confident now to start excusing yourself from conversations or wishing your friend a good day. 

This is just the beginning of what EnglishClass101.com has to offer. To learn more words and phrases in English for day-to-day conversations, check out the following pages:

• English Travel Phrases
• Learn How to Confidently Introduce Yourself in English
• How to Make an Apology for Poor English, and More! 
• Top 15 Compliments You Always Want to Hear
• Top 10 English Phrases to Amaze Native Speakers

Remember: Keep practicing, and use English often. With enough practice and determination, you’re sure to get the hang of English conversations and eventually master the language! 

EnglishClass101 will be here with you every step of the way. Happy learning! 

Before you go, let us know in the comments how you say goodbye in your own language. We look forward to hearing from you.