Goodbye


in spoken English

bye/goodbye
used when you are leaving or when someone is leaving you:
‘Bye, Annie.’ ‘Bye, Mom.’ | ‘Goodbye, Mrs Moore.’ ‘Goodbye, Dr Aziz.’ | Thank you for calling. Goodbye. | Bye for now (used especially on the phone when you will speak to someone again soon). Call me if you need anything.

warning Goodbye sounds rather formal and is used especially when talking to people you do not know well. In everyday English, people usually just say bye.


night/good night
used when leaving someone in the evening, or before they go to bed:
Night everyone. | Good night. Sleep well.

warning Good night sounds rather formal, especially in British English. In everyday English, people usually just say night.


bye bye/night night
used especially when talking to children:
‘Say bye bye to Daddy!’ ‘Bye bye!’


see you
used when saying goodbye to a friend who you will see again soon:
‘See you, Darren.’ ‘See you on Monday!’ | ‘I’m going now.’ ‘Okay. See you tomorrow.’ | Safe trip back guys, and we’ll see you soon. | See you later, Michelle.


later/catch you later informal
used when saying goodbye to a friend who you will see or talk to them again soon:
‘Later, John.’ ‘Later, Steve.’ | ‘See you, Keith.’ ‘Catch you later!’

warning Later sounds very informal and is used especially by young people.


see you around informal
used when saying goodbye to someone, when you are not sure when you will see them again:
He spent the holiday with me and then just said ‘See you around’ and left.


so long AmE informal
used when saying goodbye to someone, when you will not see them again very soon:
‘So long,’ he said. ‘Don’t forget to write.’ | She grabbed him by the shoulders and hugged him affectionately. ‘So long, Nick.’


have a good weekend/a great trip/a nice time etc
used when saying goodbye to someone to wish them a good weekend, an enjoyable trip etc:
Have a nice weekend. | Have a great time at the concert, guys!


have a good one informal especially AmE
used when saying goodbye to someone in a friendly informal way:
I’ll talk to you later. Have a good one!

warning The ‘one’ in have a good one does not really mean anything. It is just part of the phrase.


have a nice day
used especially by people working in shops when saying goodbye to customers:
Here’s your change. Have a nice day.


take care also look after yourself BrE
used when saying goodbye to someone, especially someone you like, to show that you care about them:
‘Bye love! Take care.’ ‘You too! Bye!’


cheerio BrE
goodbye:
‘Right ...we’re going now. Cheerio then!’ ‘Bye!’

warning Cheerio sounds rather old-fashioned and is used especially by older people.


in emails and informal letters

all the best/best
used at the end of informal emails:
Hope to see you soon. All the best, Joanne

warning You usually end informal emails with your first name. You can also end with the first letter of your first name, for example All the best, J. If you have just exchanged several emails with someone, you can leave out your name at the end, because it is understood.


regards/best wishes
used at the end of emails to people you often write to, or people you work with, especially people who are not close friends. Regards sounds a little formal:
Speak to you soon. Regards, David. | Thanks for all your hard work. Best wishes, Michael


love/love from informal
used at the end of emails to close friends and family:
Take care. Love, Katie | Look forward to seeing you. Love from Mum


in formal letters and emails

yours sincerely BrE/sincerely AmE/yours truly AmE
used at the end of formal letters and emails:
We will contact you directly, as soon as your order is ready. Yours sincerely, Paula Jordan (Ms), Customer Sales Manager | Thank you for your interest in our products. Yours truly, Stephen Merill

warning In British English, yours sincerely is used only if you have used the person’s name at the start of the letter or email. In American English, sincerely and yours truly can be used to end any formal letter or email.


yours faithfully BrE/sincerely AmE/yours truly AmE
used at the end of formal letters and emails:
I await your reply. Yours faithfully, Lisa Johnson (Mrs)

warning In British English, yours faithfully is used when you do not know the name of the person you are writing to. In American English, sincerely and yours truly can be used to end any formal letter or email.