goodness

goodness
noun Date: before 12th century 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

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • goodness — goodness, virtue, rectitude, morality are comparable and very general terms denoting moral excellence. Goodness is the broadest of these terms; it suggests an excellence so deeply established that it is often felt as inherent or innate rather… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Goodness! — | ˌGoodness ˈme! | ˌMy ˈgoodness! | ˌGoodness ˈgracious! idiom (informal) used to express surprise • Goodness, what a big balloon! • My goodness, you have been busy! …   Useful english dictionary

  • Goodness me! — Goodness! | ˌGoodness ˈme! | ˌMy ˈgoodness! | ˌGoodness ˈgracious! idiom (informal) used to express surprise • Goodness, what a big balloon! • My goodness, you have been busy! …   Useful english dictionary

  • Goodness — Good ness, n. [AS. g[=o]dnes.] The quality of being good in any of its various senses; excellence; virtue; kindness; benevolence; as, the goodness of timber, of a soil, of food; goodness of character, of disposition, of conduct, etc. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • goodness — O.E. godnes goodness, virtue, kindliness; see GOOD (Cf. good) (adj.) + NESS (Cf. ness). In exclamations from 1610s, first recorded being for goodnesse sake, i.e. as you trust in the goodness of God …   Etymology dictionary

  • goodness — [good′nis] n. [ME goodnesse < OE godnes] 1. the state or quality of being good; specif., a) virtue; excellence b) kindness; generosity; benevolence 2. the best part, essence, or valuable element of a thing interj. used to express surprise or… …   English World dictionary

  • goodness — index benevolence (disposition to do good), decorum, ethics, good faith, honor (good reputation), integrity, merit …   Law dictionary

  • goodness — [n] decency, excellence advantage, beneficence, benefit, benevolence, ethicality, friendliness, generosity, good will, grace, graciousness, honesty, honor, humaneness, integrity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, mercy, merit, morality,… …   New thesaurus

  • goodness — ► NOUN 1) the quality of being good. 2) the nutritious element of food. ► EXCLAMATION ▪ (as a substitution for ‘God’) expressing surprise, anger, etc …   English terms dictionary

  • goodness — good|ness S2 [ˈgudnıs] n [U] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1 my goodness!/goodness (gracious) me! 2 for goodness sake 3 goodness (only) knows 4¦(being good)¦ 5¦(best part)¦ 6 have the goodness to do something 7 out of the goodness of somebody s heart ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • goodness — good|ness1 [ gudnəs ] interjection * used for showing that you are surprised: Goodness, is it time to go already? goodness me: Goodness me! You ve grown! goodness gracious (me): Goodness gracious me! What do you mean? my goodness (me): My… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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