so long

Leaving words, informal

So long is an informal goodbye, warmer than a simple farewell but casual enough for everyday use: So long, and thanks for everything.

The phrase suggests parting for an indefinite period rather than a brief absence.

It sounds slightly old-fashioned compared to alternatives like "see you later" or just "bye."

farewell

goodbye

Departing salutation

adiosSpanish parting word
cheerioInformal British parting
ciaoItalian dual-purpose salutation

sayonara · au revoir · arrivederci · auf Wiedersehen · shalom · bon voyage · toodle-oo · ta-ta · bye-bye · hasta la vista

duration

extended

Lengthened in time or space

prolongedMade to last longer
lengthyOf excessive duration
drawn-outExtended beyond normal duration

enduring · sustained · protracted · marathon · interminable · ages · forever · eternity · extensive · stretched

Categories

farewellsgoodbye, farewell, bye, adieu, bye-bye
goodbyesgoodbye, bye, bye-bye, see ya, byebye
Pleasantriesplease, thank you, thanks, sorry, excuse me
greetingshi, hello, hey, hola, aloha
sign-offsgoodbye, farewell, bye, see you later, sincerely
endingsending, the end, finish, close, final

Opposites

greeting vs. farewell

so longhello

Common spoken greeting

hi · hey · greetings · welcome · howdy

formality of farewell

so longfarewell

Leave-taking expression

adieu · fare thee well · goodbye · good day · au revoir

Family

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G