goodness

[goo d-nis] /ˈgʊd nɪs/
noun
1.
the state or quality of being good.
2.
moral excellence; virtue.
3.
kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.
4.
excellence of quality:
goodness of workmanship.
5.
the best part of anything; essence; strength.
6.
a euphemism for God:
Thank goodness!
interjection
7.
(used in expressions of surprise, alarm, etc.):
Goodness, you gave me a start! Goodness gracious!
Origin
before 900; Middle English; Old English gōdnes. See good, -ness
Related forms
supergoodness, noun
Synonyms
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.
Antonyms
1. badness, evil.
Examples from the web for goodness
  • It's been a while since anyone really tried goodness.
  • It was because they knew that there is goodness in the striving.
  • Bacteria do not make restriction enzymes out of the goodness of their hearts, nor to help catch criminals, of course.
  • Simplicity is knowing your children are getting all the goodness they need.
  • Thank goodness some of the scientists were able to get their word out in spite of this repressive administration.
  • Thank goodness there are text panels to explain who's who.
  • So thank goodness more homeowners are questioning whether or not they really need it and rethinking their entire landscape.
  • goodness knows why someone would want to obscure the maker of such a crisp little box.
  • goodness knows daughters can't do it, so mothers must.
  • However, he is likely to move on to another position of greatness and goodness in a couple of years.
British Dictionary definitions for goodness

goodness

/ˈɡʊdnɪs/
noun
1.
the state or quality of being good
2.
generosity; kindness
3.
moral excellence; piety; virtue
interjection
4.
a euphemism for God goodness knows!, thank goodness!
Word Origin and History for goodness
n.

Old English godnes "goodness, virtue, kindliness;" see good (adj.) + -ness. In exclamations from 1610s, first recorded being for goodnesse sake, i.e. "as you trust in the goodness of God."

goodness in the Bible

in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.

Idioms and Phrases with goodness

goodness

also see:
for the sake of
, def. 3;