Whether you’re saying goodbye to a colleague at the end of the day, bidding farewell to a friend heading overseas, or ending a casual phone call, your parting words leave a lasting impression. Instead of always relying on the conventional “goodbye”, wouldn’t it be nice to diversify your vocabulary with some other expressions? Better yet, these alternatives can help express your feelings more accurately. Intrigued? Let’s explore these different expressions and their uses together!
Here are 37 versatile phrases you can use as alternatives to the traditional “Goodbye” in English.
1. See you later – An informal way of saying goodbye, with an expectation of seeing them again later.
Example: Nice catching up with you, see you later!
2. Take care – A warm, caring way to say goodbye, showing concern for the other person’s well-being.
Example: It was great meeting you, take care!
3. Farewell – A somewhat formal, old-fashioned way to say goodbye.
Example: Farewell, my friend. Safe travels!
4. Catch you on the flip side – A casual, playful way to say goodbye, implying you’ll see them later.
Example: Alright, I’m off. Catch you on the flip side!
5. Till we meet again – A friendly way to say goodbye, suggesting a future meeting.
Example: I’ve enjoyed our time together, till we meet again!
6. Cheerio – A British way to say goodbye, usually in a casual or friendly context.
Example: Thanks for the tea, cheerio!
7. Adios – Borrowed from Spanish, used informally in English to say goodbye.
Example: We had a good time at the party, adios!
8. So long – An informal way to say goodbye, often used when you don’t expect to see the person soon.
Example: It’s been real, so long!
9. Godspeed – An old-fashioned term used to wish someone success on their journey.
Example: You’re off on your adventure, godspeed!
10. Have a good one – A friendly and informal way to wish someone well as you say goodbye.
Example: Thanks for the coffee, have a good one!
11. Keep in touch – A goodbye phrase expressing the hope to stay in contact.
Example: It was great working with you, keep in touch!
12. I’m outta here – A very informal, somewhat cheeky way to announce you’re leaving.
Example: Alright, the workday’s done, I’m outta here!
13. Until next time – A friendly phrase indicating you expect to meet again.
Example: It’s been a fun weekend, until next time!
14. Smell ya later – A very informal and playful way to say goodbye.
Example: I’ll see you at school tomorrow, smell ya later!
15. Toodle-oo – An informal, playful, and somewhat old-fashioned British term for goodbye.
Example: It’s been a lovely afternoon, toodle-oo!
16. Safe travels – A warm way to say goodbye to someone who is about to journey somewhere.
Example: Have a great trip, safe travels!
17. Be seeing you – A relaxed way of saying goodbye with an expectation of seeing them again.
Example: Thanks for the help today, be seeing you!
18. Stay safe – A caring way to say goodbye, especially used during difficult times or situations.
Example: These are uncertain times, stay safe!
19. Over and out – A phrase borrowed from radio communications to say goodbye.
Example: Alright team, we’ve finished the project, over and out!
20. Later, alligator – A playful, rhyming phrase for goodbye, often responded with “In a while, crocodile.”
Example: Time for me to go, later, alligator!
21. Sayonara – A Japanese term often used in English to say a formal goodbye.
Example: It’s been a productive meeting, sayonara!
22. Peace out – A very informal and relaxed way to say goodbye.
Example: Good game, guys. Peace out!
23. It’s been real – An informal way to say goodbye after a genuine or meaningful experience.
Example: We’ve had some good times, it’s been real!
24. See you on the other side – A phrase often used to say goodbye before a challenging event or situation.
Example: Alright, we’re heading into the final exams. See you on the other side!
25. Take it easy – A relaxed, friendly way to say goodbye.
Example: It was good to see you, take it easy!
26. Hit the road – An informal way of saying you need to leave.
Example: It’s getting late, I better hit the road!
27. Good night – A common way to say goodbye in the evening or before bed.
Example: Thanks for the lovely dinner, good night!
28. Best wishes – A kind way to say goodbye while wishing them well.
Example: I hope everything goes well for you, best wishes!
29. Au revoir – A French term commonly used in English for a formal goodbye.
Example: Au revoir, see you next week!
30. Arrivederci – An Italian term often used in English for a somewhat formal goodbye.
Example: It was a pleasure meeting you, arrivederci!
31. Signing off – A phrase often used at the end of a communication like a letter or radio broadcast.
Example: That’s all for today’s news, signing off!
32. I bid you adieu – A formal and somewhat old-fashioned way to say goodbye.
Example: The evening has been delightful, I bid you adieu.
33. On my way out – An informal way of saying that you are about to leave.
Example: I’ve got another appointment, so I’m on my way out.
34. Parting is such sweet sorrow – A poetic way to say goodbye, borrowed from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Example: I’ve enjoyed our time together, but parting is such sweet sorrow.
35. Bon voyage – A French phrase used in English to wish someone a good journey.
Example: Enjoy your trip to France, bon voyage!
36. Take a bow – A phrase often used in performing arts to suggest that it’s time to acknowledge the end of a performance.
Example: You did a great job with the presentation, take a bow!
37. See you in the funny papers – An old-fashioned, playful way to say goodbye.
Example: Well, I’m off, see you in the funny papers!
Parting ways doesn’t always have to be marked with a simple “goodbye”. As we have explored, English offers us an abundance of alternatives that can make our farewells more expressive, personal, and situation-specific. With these 37 phrases at your disposal, you can now infuse your conversations with more color and leave a memorable impression. So why stick to the plain “goodbye” when you can say it in so many other fascinating ways?