GBWY

What Does GBWY Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

GBWY means "God Be With You."

More Observations...

It is typically used at the end of conversation as a farewell blessing. In real life (IRL), it is often expanded to "God be with you today and always" or "God be with you until we meet again." (NB: The latter was popularized by the hymn of the same name written by Jeremiah Rankin in 1880.)

While GBWY carries a connotation of "God protect you," it can also be used as a substitute for thank you, in which case it carries the connotation "God bless you." Of interest, the term "good bye" is an abbreviated version of "God be with you."

Image for GBWY

When I write GBWY, I mean this:

GBWY (God Be With You) is the origin of "good bye."

Summary of Key Points

"God Be With You" is, by far, the most common meaning for GBWY when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

GBWY
Definition:	God Be With You
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of GBWY in Sentences

Here are examples of GBWY in conversations:

• Charlie: I'm joining the Navy on Monday.
• Jordan: GBWY
(He GBWY has a meaning similar to "God protect you" or "good luck.")

• Charlie: I've cut you grass, Mrs Jones.
• Jordan: GBWY, Janice.
(He GBWY has a meaning similar to "God bless you" or "thank you.")

An Academic Look at GBWY

GBWY is not used as another part of speech within a wider sentence. It is used as a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., a statement), which best translates "May God be with you." GBWY is an initialism abbreviation. This means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Gee Bee Dublyu Why). (NB: Initialisms contrast with acronyms, which are spoken like words.)

Example of GBWY Used in a Text

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