goody-goody

[ good-ee-good-ee ]

noun

, plural good·y-good·ies.

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

adjective

1. self-righteously or cloyingly good; affecting goodness.

goody-goody

noun

1. a smugly virtuous or sanctimonious person

adjective

1. smug and sanctimonious

Word History and Origins

Origin of goody-goody¹

First recorded in 1870–75; reduplication of goody ²

Example Sentences

The goody-goody Jagger started becoming more like Richards and began calling himself “Mick.”

From The Daily Beast

Obama and the goody-goody Democrats desperately want to believe the Republicans are capable of a compromise on health care.

From The Daily Beast

Oh, you dear old Goody Goody, she cried, springing to her feet and throwing her arms around Tessa.

From Project Gutenberg

One said contemptuously, "Oh, you're a goody-goody, parson!"

From Project Gutenberg

Was this the cousin whom she had considered a sort of namby-pamby, goody-goody girl who would be easily controlled?

From Project Gutenberg

Mustn't be too goody-goody; that kind of thing is falling out of date.

From Project Gutenberg

A little fellow called Jamie took me aside, and in the most friendly way advised me not to be so "goody-goody."

From Project Gutenberg