B2noun2K

Goodness

UK /["/ˈɡʊdnəs/"]/US /["/ˈɡʊdnəs/"]/

Definition

the quality of being good

In simple words: The quality of being good or kind.

Examples

The goodness of her character was evident in the way she treated others.
He believed in the fundamental goodness of people despite the hardships.
Goodness shone through his actions when he helped the homeless.
Surprisingly, the dish had a surprising amount of goodness to its flavor.
Oh goodness! I didn’t expect to see you here today.
By goodness, that was an incredible performance by the young athlete.

Usage notes

Used in both spoken and written English. Common in expressions of surprise or emphasis ('Oh goodness!'). Not typically used in formal writing.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'good' and add 'ness' to it, like goodness means more good.

Collocations

goodness gracious
goodness me
the goodness of humanity

Synonyms

kindness
virtue
morality
goodwill
benevolence

Antonyms

wickedness
evil
badness

Common mistakes

Confused with 'goodness' vs 'goodness gracious'.
Omitting the 'ness' when forming the word.
Using it in a formal context where a more specific term would be appropriate.