goody-goody
Americannoun
-
goody-goodies
plural
adjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of goody-goody
First recorded in 1870–75; reduplication of goody 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Even non-comic book fans know that the hero born Kal-El on Krypton was always a goody-goody who stood up to bullies and protected the downtrodden.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2025
She elevates the role which, frankly, is a little thin: the sweet, high-ponytailed, goody-goody who doesn't even have her ears pierced.
From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2022
“I’ve been fighting that goody-goody stuff for years, because if you let people make you out to be perfect there just ain’t no margin for error,” he told his children.
From New York Times ● Aug. 8, 2021
In nearly a dozen stage plays, and in as many movies, Madea has taken aim at no-good freeloaders and goody-goody authorities, all while spreading a hard-headed traditionalism herself.
From The New Yorker ● Mar. 30, 2019
I shake my head primly, feeling like a real goody-goody or at least a barren subject for the gossips, present company included.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
Still, it’s a safe bet that Reijn believes these goody-goodies will grow up to make their own mistakes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 24, 2024
“But then there came this resurgence of monogamous commitments, and the concept of yearning to go back to the wholesome, good old days of goody-goodies like Donna Reed.”
From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2022
Other hall-of-fame comedies, like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Cheers,” had wits and jesters and clowns mixed in among the goody-goodies and grumps.
From New York Times ● Sep. 5, 2019
Meanwhile many artists, however strong their faith, chafe under both that artistically restrictive pressure from within and the stigma against goody-goodies in the commercial world.
From Slate ● Jun. 6, 2019
“I know you goody-goodies think I’m always the bad guy,” he said.
From "A Monster of a Mystery (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #5)" by Franklin W. Dixon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
