goodness

noun

good·​ness ˈgu̇d-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being good

2

—used interjectionally or in phrases especially to express mild surprise or shock

oh, my goodness!

goodness knows

3

: the nutritious, flavorful, or beneficial part of something

Synonyms

• character
• decency
• honesty
• integrity
• morality
• probity
• rectitude
• righteousness
• rightness
• uprightness
• virtue
• virtuousness

Examples of goodness in a Sentence

Even if you don't agree, at least have the goodness to be polite!

a person of such unaffected goodness that his friends were inspired to lead better lives

Recent Examples on the Web

And nothing beats a classic claw clip—thank goodness for Machete, France Luxe, and Emi Jay for timeless styles sure to be worn again and again. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024

Thank goodness for the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine, the ECMO. —Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 24 Dec. 2024

Heck, Preach was probably planning to do 300 hours of community service-type activities out of the goodness of his heart anyway. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Red flags have been blissfully hard to find with this team, and thank goodness. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing goodness

• for goodness' sake
• goodness knows
• goodness of fit
• honest-to-goodness
• My goodness
• out of the goodness of one's heart
• thank God/goodness/heaven(s)/the Lord