goody
goody Lexical Profile
goody Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Something attractive, desirable, or enjoyable, especially a tasty treat, sweet snack, or small gift (usually used in the plural).
"Each guest left the birthday party with a bag full of goodies and small toys."
British A heroic, virtuous, or admirable character in a story, film, or conflict.
"In classic westerns, it was always easy to tell the goodies from the baddies."
An archaic polite form of address or title used before the surname of a married woman of humble social rank.
"In the play about the Salem witch trials, Goody Proctor is accused by the townspeople."
• interjection
Used (especially by children or ironical adults) to express childish delight, glee, or eager anticipation.
"Oh goody, we are having ice cream for dessert tonight!"
Word Nuance & Usage
Often spelled "goodie" in the singular (especially in British English for a hero), though the plural is universally "goodies." In historical contexts, "Goody" (capitalized) was an archaic title for a married woman of lowly station, shortened from "goodwife."
• Rhymes for goody
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-18th century from the adjective "good" and the diminutive suffix "-y." The archaic title sense dates to the late 16th century as a contraction of "goodwife."