goody

¹ American  

[good-ee] / ˈgʊd i /

Or goodie

noun

plural

goodies

1. Usually goodies. something especially attractive or pleasing, especially cake, cookies, or candy.

2. something that causes delight or satisfaction.

   A record collector played some goodies for me on his phonograph.

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interjection

1. good (used to express childish delight).

goody ² American  

[good-ee] / ˈgʊd i /

adjective

1. goody-goody.

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goody ³ American  

[good-ee] / ˈgʊd i /

noun

plural

goodies

1. Archaic. a polite term of address for a woman of humble social standing.

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goody ¹ British  

/ ˈɡʊdɪ /

interjection

1. a child's exclamation of pleasure and approval

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noun

1. short for goody-goody

2. informal the hero in a film, book, etc

3. something particularly pleasant to have or (often) to eat See also goodies

goody ² British  

/ ˈɡʊdɪ /

noun

1. archaic a married woman of low rank: used as a title

   Goody Two-Shoes

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Etymology

Origin of goody¹

First recorded in 1740–50; good + -y ², as noun suffix

Origin of goody²

First recorded in 1805–15; apparently good + -y ², with attenuating or pejorative value, probably influenced by goody two shoes

Origin of goody³

First recorded in 1550–60; good(wife) + -y ²; cf. hussy

Explanation

A goody is a special treat, especially one you can eat. Sometimes kids judge the quality of a birthday party by the goody bag they leave with. When you're a kid, a highlight of other people's birthday parties is the goody bag, a gift of small toys and edible treats. If you celebrate Christmas, you probably get goodies in your stocking, and for Easter some lucky children receive baskets full of goodies. Goody, which since the 18th century has meant "something tasty," can also be used as an exclamation meaning "hooray:" "Oh goody, it's the ice cream man!"

Example Sentences

Keep one of your dog’s favorite toys or blankets in there and toss in your pet’s favorite goody from time to time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Fruitcake is an ancient goody, with the oldest versions a sort of energy bar made by the Romans to sustain their soldiers in battle.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024

When Fiona McArthur started to make chocolate from her friend's kitchen in 2020 she dreamed of seeing them in the famous Oscars goody bag.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2024

Walkers and runners will receive goody bags and are welcome to participate with or without a dog.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2023

Because I’m really not that much of a goody two-shoes.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

Related Words

• favor
• freebie
• gift
• giveaway
• handsel
• present
• prize
• swag