Saying goodbye is a universal experience, yet in English, there are countless ways to bid someone farewell. Whether you’re ending a casual conversation with a friend, wrapping up a business meeting, or saying goodbye to family, how you say goodbye can leave a lasting impression. In this post, we’ll explore various ways to say goodbye in English. By learning these expressions, you’ll be able to choose the perfect way to end any conversation, depending on the situation and the person you’re speaking with.
Let’s dive into some creative, formal, and casual ways to say goodbye, covering all occasions, from the most professional to the friendliest of goodbyes.
Ways to Say Goodbye in English
Table of Contents
1. Casual Goodbyes
Casual goodbyes are perfect for informal settings, like when you’re leaving a gathering with friends, ending a chat, or parting ways with someone you know well.
- “See you later!”
This is a common and friendly way to say goodbye. It implies that you’ll see the person again, though not necessarily soon. You can also shorten it to just “Later!” - “Take care!”
A warm way to say goodbye, often used to show that you care about the person’s well-being. It’s friendly but can also be used in semi-formal settings. - “Catch you later!”
Similar to “See you later,” this goodbye is commonly used between friends. It’s relaxed and casual, making it perfect for informal settings. - “Talk to you soon!”
This is a nice way to say goodbye if you expect to speak to the person again soon. It’s often used in both phone and in-person conversations. - “I’m out!”
A slang expression commonly used among friends, particularly in the United States. It’s informal and playful, often used when leaving a group. - “Peace out!”
Originating from American slang, this phrase is a friendly and laid-back way to say goodbye. It’s usually accompanied by a peace sign. - “Later, gator!”
This playful phrase is great for light-hearted farewells, often followed by the response, “In a while, crocodile!”
2. Formal Goodbyes
When you’re in a professional setting or speaking with someone you don’t know well, it’s best to use a more formal way to say goodbye.
- “Goodbye.”
Straightforward and to the point, “Goodbye” is a formal way to end a conversation. While it’s simple, it can sometimes sound serious or final. - “Farewell.”
Although it’s less common today, “Farewell” is a formal goodbye that implies a longer separation. It’s often used in writing, such as in letters or formal speeches. - “Take care of yourself.”
A slightly more formal version of “Take care,” this farewell shows you care about the person’s well-being and can be used in both professional and personal contexts. - “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
This polite phrase is perfect for concluding a conversation with someone you’ve just met, especially in professional settings. - “Until we meet again.”
This is a formal way of saying goodbye that suggests you’ll meet the person again in the future. It’s somewhat old-fashioned but still used in some cultures. - “I look forward to our next meeting.”
A great farewell for business settings, especially if you’re leaving a meeting or professional event. It’s polite and implies a positive connection. - “Have a good day.”
This is a common farewell in both personal and professional settings. It’s formal enough for professional use but friendly enough for casual conversations as well.
3. Goodbyes on the Phone
When ending a phone conversation, the way you say goodbye can vary depending on the context and your relationship with the person.
- “Goodbye.”
Simple and effective, this works well in both personal and professional settings. It’s a polite way to end a phone call. - “Talk soon!”
If you plan to speak again soon, this is a friendly way to end the call. It works well in both personal and semi-formal settings. - “Thanks for calling!”
If you’re the one receiving the call, this is a courteous way to end the conversation. It’s polite and appropriate for most situations. - “I’ll let you go.”
This phrase suggests that you’re ending the call out of consideration for the other person’s time. It’s casual but polite. - “Catch you later!”
A casual way to say goodbye over the phone, often used between friends or family members. - “Have a great day!”
A warm way to end the call, wishing the other person well. It’s versatile and can be used in both personal and professional conversations.
4. Goodbyes for Emails and Letters
When writing a letter or email, the way you close can convey tone and intent. Here are some sign-offs for different situations:
- “Sincerely”
A classic and formal way to end a letter, often used in professional correspondence. It’s polite and traditional. - “Best regards”
Another formal sign-off, “Best regards” is less stiff than “Sincerely” but still professional. It’s great for emails and letters in business settings. - “Warm regards”
This is a friendly but still professional way to end an email. It’s commonly used when you have an ongoing relationship with the recipient. - “Yours truly”
A formal and somewhat old-fashioned sign-off, often used in letters. It’s less common today but still appropriate for formal writing. - “Take care”
For a more personal touch in semi-formal emails, “Take care” works well. It’s friendly and can help you build rapport with the reader. - “Best wishes”
This is a friendly, semi-formal way to close an email, often used in both personal and professional contexts. - “Cheers”
A casual and friendly way to end an email, commonly used in British English. It’s suitable for informal correspondence.
5. Goodbyes in Different Situations
Depending on where you are or what you’re doing, different goodbyes might be more appropriate.
- At Work: “See you tomorrow” or “Talk to you later”
These farewells are friendly and suitable for co-workers. They imply that you’ll see or talk to them soon. - With Family: “Love you” or “Take care”
These expressions convey warmth and affection, making them perfect for family members. - At a Party: “Thanks for having me” or “Catch you later”
If you’re leaving a social event, these are friendly ways to say goodbye to the host and other guests. - When Traveling: “Safe travels” or “Bon voyage”
If someone is about to go on a trip, these farewells are thoughtful and show that you care about their safety and enjoyment. - At a Store or Restaurant: “Have a nice day” or “Thanks, bye!”
These farewells are polite and appropriate for customer service interactions.
6. Goodbyes in English-Speaking Countries
Different countries have unique ways of saying goodbye. Here are some popular phrases from various English-speaking countries:
- United States: “See ya!” or “Take it easy”
Americans often use these relaxed farewells among friends and family. - United Kingdom: “Cheers” or “Ta-ra”
In the UK, “Cheers” is commonly used to say goodbye, especially in casual settings. “Ta-ra” is an informal way to say goodbye, often used in Northern England. - Australia: “Hooroo” or “Catch ya later”
Australians have some unique slang for saying goodbye, and these are a couple of popular ones. - Ireland: “Slán”
In Ireland, you may hear “Slán,” which is an Irish word for goodbye. It’s used both in English and Irish-language conversations.
7. Funny and Playful Goodbyes
If you’re saying goodbye to friends or family and want to make it a bit more fun, try these playful expressions:
- “Don’t be a stranger!”
This is a fun way to say goodbye and encourage the person to stay in touch. - “Adios, amigo!”
Borrowed from Spanish, this is a playful way to say goodbye to friends. - “Toodles!”
A lighthearted and somewhat old-fashioned way to say goodbye, often used in a playful context. - “Hasta la vista, baby!”
Made famous by the movie Terminator 2, this phrase is a humorous way to say goodbye. - “Smell ya later!”
This cheeky farewell is great among friends, often used humorously.
8. Saying Goodbye in Virtual Conversations
With more communication happening online, here are some ways to end virtual chats and video calls:
- “Gotta run!”
A quick way to end a conversation when you’re short on time. It’s casual and friendly. - “Logging off now”
If you’re wrapping up a virtual conversation, this works well for both personal and semi-formal situations. - “Catch you online!”
Ways to Say Goodbye in English
Conclusion
Whether you’re saying goodbye to a friend, colleague, or family member, the way you choose to part ways can make a lasting impression. English offers a wide range of expressions for every situation, from formal farewells to casual goodbyes, and even playful parting words. By familiarizing yourself with these various ways to say goodbye, you can add warmth, professionalism, or even a touch of humor to your farewells. So next time you’re wrapping up a conversation, try out a new phrase and see how it changes the tone of your goodbye. With these expressions in your toolkit, you’ll always have the perfect way to say goodbye in English.
