goodwife

[ good-wahyf ]

/ ˈgʊdˌwaɪf /

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noun, plural good·wives

[good-wahyvz]. /ˈgʊdˌwaɪvz/.

Chiefly Scot. the mistress of a household.

(initial capital letter)Archaic. a title of respect for a woman.

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Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

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What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of goodwife

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; see origin at good, wife

Words nearby goodwife

good thing, good time, good-time Charlie, good turn, good usage, goodwife, goodwill, goodwilly, Goodwin Sands, Goodwood, good word

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use goodwife in a sentence

He was disguised as a woman, and appeared to be a simple old peasant goodwife.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Goodman and goodwife were in those days used in the same way as Mr. and Mrs. are now.
Notes and Queries for Worcestershire|John Noake
Goodwife Hunter was gagged and made to stand in the stocks for "Sundry exhorbitance of ye toung."
Ocean to Ocean on Horseback|Willard Glazier
Then my father looked in at the door and said, "'Tis time, goodwife, for young folks to be abed."
Constance Sherwood|Lady Georgiana Fullerton

Once a "goodwife" by the name of Alice Flynt was required to show that she was worth money enough to be able to wear a silk hood.
The Story of American History|Albert F. Blaisdell

British Dictionary definitions for goodwife

goodwife

/ (ˈɡʊdˌwaɪf) /

noun plural -wives archaic

the mistress of a household

a woman not of gentle birth: used as a title

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012