- the state or quality of being good
- generosity; kindness
- moral excellence; piety; virtue
- a euphemism for God: goodness knows!, thank goodness!
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
good•ness /ˈgʊdnɪs/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
interj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- the state or quality of being good.
- moral excellence;
virtue. - kindness;
generosity:volunteers out of the goodness of his heart.
interj.
- This word is used to express surprise, alarm, etc.:"Goodness! Late again!''
good•ness
(gŏŏd′nis),USA pronunciation n.
interj.
- the state or quality of being good.
- moral excellence;
virtue. - kindly feeling;
kindness;
generosity. - excellence of quality:goodness of workmanship.
- the best part of anything;
essence;
strength. - a euphemism for God:Thank goodness!
interj.
- (used in expressions of surprise, alarm, etc.):Goodness, you gave me a start! Goodness gracious!
- bef. 900; Middle English; Old English gōdnes. See good, -ness
- 2. integrity, honesty, uprightness, probity. Goodness, morality, virtue refer to qualities of character or conduct that entitle the possessor to approval and esteem. Goodness is the simple word for the general quality recognized in character or conduct:Many could tell of her goodness and kindness.Morality implies conformity to the recognized standards of right conduct:a citizen of the highest morality.Virtue is a rather formal word, and suggests usually goodness that is consciously or steadily maintained, often in spite of temptations or evil influences:of unassailable virtue; firm and of unwavering virtue. 3. benevolence, benignity, humanity. 4. worth, value.
- 1. badness, evil.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
goodness /ˈɡʊdnɪs/ n