goody-goody

[ good-ee-good-ee ]

/ ˈgʊd iˈgʊd i /

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See synonyms for: goody-goody / goody-goodies on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural good·y-good·ies.

a person who is self-righteously, affectedly, or cloyingly good.

adjective

self-righteously or cloyingly good; affecting goodness.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of goody-goody

First recorded in 1870–75; reduplication of goody²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use goody-goody in a sentence

The goody-goody Jagger started becoming more like Richards and began calling himself “Mick.”
Speed Read: 11 Juiciest Bits From Philip Norman’s Biography of Mick Jagger|The Daily Beast|October 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Obama and the goody-goody Democrats desperately want to believe the Republicans are capable of a compromise on health care.
Sept. 15: D-Day for Health Care|Paul Begala|August 20, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Oh, you dear old Goody Goody, she cried, springing to her feet and throwing her arms around Tessa.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline|Jennie M. Drinkwater
One said contemptuously, "Oh, you're a goody-goody, parson!"
The Transformation of Job|Frederick Vining Fisher

Was this the cousin whom she had considered a sort of namby-pamby, goody-goody girl who would be easily controlled?
Friendship and Folly|Maria Louise Pool
Mustn't be too goody-goody; that kind of thing is falling out of date.
New Grub Street|George Gissing
A little fellow called Jamie took me aside, and in the most friendly way advised me not to be so "goody-goody."
Tramping with Tramps|Josiah Flynt

British Dictionary definitions for goody-goody

goody-goody

noun plural -goodies

a smugly virtuous or sanctimonious person

adjective

smug and sanctimonious

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

goody-goody

Origin of goody-goody

Words related to goody-goody

How to use goody-goody in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for goody-goody