goodness
goodness Lexical Profile
goodness Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The quality of being morally good, virtuous, or upright in character and conduct.
"Her unwavering belief in the fundamental goodness of humanity inspired everyone around her."
Generosity, kindness, or benevolence shown toward others.
"The scholarship was funded entirely out of the goodness of the donor's heart."
The nutritious, flavorful, or beneficial essence of food or drink.
"Steaming the vegetables lightly helps retain all their natural goodness and vitamins."
• interjection
Used as a mild exclamation to express surprise, shock, relief, or emphasis, originally serving as a euphemistic substitute for 'God'.
"Goodness, I had no idea it was already past midnight!"
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as an exclamation or in phrases like "thank goodness" and "for goodness' sake," the word acts as a mild, polite euphemism substituting for "God."
• Rhymes for goodness
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English godnes, formed from the root god ('good') and the suffix -nes ('-ness'), with cognates in Old Saxon and Old High German.