The English word 'goodbye' is a contraction of which phrase?

The English word “goodbye” is a contraction of the phrase “God be with ye.”

The expression began as a farewell blessing, wishing that God would remain with the person who was leaving. In late Middle English and Early Modern English, related forms included “God be with you,” “God b’w’y,” and “God buy.” Over time, repeated use in spoken and written farewells shortened the phrase into a more compact form.

The modern spelling “goodbye” became established in the 18th century. Its first element was reshaped under the influence of familiar greetings and farewells containing “good,” such as “good morning” and “good day.” As a result, the word looks as though it literally means “good” plus “bye,” but its historical source is religious.

“Goodbye” is therefore not simply another spelling of “farewell,” although the two words can serve the same practical purpose. “Farewell” comes from the phrase “fare thee well,” while “God bless” is a related blessing but not the direct expansion of “goodbye.” “Bye” is the later shortened form of the same farewell word.