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goodness

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɡʊdnəs// UK //ɡˈʊdnəs// good·ness General-service Humorous

n. the quality of being kind, helpful, or honest. It can also describe the healthy parts of food, like vitamins.

n. the quality of being morally good or virtuous; the beneficial or nutritious part of a substance. Often used in exclamations as a euphemism for 'God'.


SIMPLE

She believes in the basic goodness of all people.

CONTEXTUAL

Steaming vegetables instead of boiling them helps to keep all the natural goodness inside.

COMPLEX

The protagonist's innate goodness serves as a stark contrast to the corruption and cynicism of the city around him.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English goodnesse, godnesse, from Old English gōdnes (“goodness; virtue; kindness”), from Proto-West Germanic *gōdnassī (“goodness”), equivalent to good + -ness. Cognate with Scots guidness (“goodness”), West Frisian goedens (“goodness”), Old High German guotnessī (“goodness”), Middle High German guotnisse (“goodness”), Russian годность (godnostʹ, “suitability, fitness”).

Usage

Commonly used in fixed expressions like 'for goodness' sake' or 'thank goodness'.

Idioms4 entries

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