goodwill

American  

[good-wil] / ˈgʊdˈwɪl /

Or good will

noun

1. friendly disposition; benevolence; kindness.

   Synonyms:

   friendliness

2. cheerful acquiescence or consent.

3. Commerce.  an intangible, saleable asset arising from the reputation of a business and its relations with its customers, distinct from the value of its stock and other tangible assets.

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goodwill British  

/ ˌɡʊdˈwɪl /

noun

1. a feeling of benevolence, approval, and kindly interest

2. (modifier) resulting from, showing, or designed to show goodwill

   the government sent a goodwill mission to Moscow

   a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF

3. willingness or acquiescence

4. accounting an intangible asset taken into account in assessing the value of an enterprise and reflecting its commercial reputation, customer connections, etc

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Related Words

See favor.

Etymology

Origin of goodwill

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English gōd willa. See good, will ²

Example Sentences

“But what needs to happen is a security framework that will guarantee that we have good intentions, goodwill.”

From The Wall Street Journal

They materialize in the kitchen year after year, radiating earnest goodwill, and yet somehow leave a trail of small calamities in their wake.

From Salon

The ship, which is used to teach cadets about traditional navigation techniques, visits foreign ports on goodwill voyages.

From Barron's

“If they want to drain all the momentum and goodwill they’ve gained coming out of Tuesday night,” he wrote, “I can think of no better way than caving in a fight they’re winning.”

From Salon

The score requires a monster orchestra with a blockbuster brass section and an audience capable of patience and goodwill.

From Los Angeles Times