goodness

[good-nis]

noun

1. the state or quality of being good.

   Antonyms: evil

2. moral excellence; virtue.

   Synonyms: probity, honesty, integrity

3. kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.

   Synonyms: humanity, benignity, benevolence

4. excellence of quality.

   goodness of workmanship.

   Synonyms: merit, value, worth

5. the best part of anything; essential property; strength.

6. a euphemism for God.

   Thank goodness!

interjection

1. Also goodness gracious (used in expressions of surprise, alarm, etc.).

   Goodness, you gave me a start!

   Goodness gracious, this article is so badly written!

goodness

/ ˈɡʊdnɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being good

2. generosity; kindness

3. moral excellence; piety; virtue

interjection

1. a euphemism for God

   goodness knows!

   thank goodness!

Other Word Forms

• supergoodness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of goodness¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English gōdnes; good, -ness

Idioms and Phrases

• for the sake of
• god (goodness) knows
• honest to god (goodness)
• my god (goodness

Synonym Study

Goodness, morality, virtue refer to qualities of character or conduct that entitle the possessor to approval and esteem. Goodness is the simple word for the general quality recognized in character or conduct: Many could tell of her goodness and kindness. Morality implies conformity to the recognized standards of right conduct: a citizen of the highest morality. Virtue is a rather formal word, and suggests usually goodness that is consciously or steadily maintained, often in spite of temptations or evil influences: of unassailable virtue; firm and of unwavering virtue.

Example Sentences

Even if “The Black Wolf” were not so intelligent and exciting in its construction, it would be hard not to root for a hero who still believes: “There’s more goodness than cruelty in this world.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They themselves were eager to praise the goodness of the local villagers, who appear to have taken to the Jews in their midst in ways not all French people did.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, we have a Christmas movie here!’”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Oh my goodness, they are the absolute best,” she says in her soft Texan twang.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I think if you care about the reality of goodness instead of the perception of it, philanthropy is extremely difficult," he told Chris Anderson in 2022.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• decency 
• friendliness www.thesaurus.com
• generosity 
• good will www.thesaurus.com
• grace 
• graciousness 
• honesty 
• integrity 
• kindness 
• mercy 
• morality 
• righteousness 
• rightness 
• superiority 
• virtue