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
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
What brings Pinochet’s fallen world and this movie to life is not the possibility of goodness or redemption but rather the exact opposite.
—
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Millionaires' Shortbread Three layers of rich goodness—buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and a thick layer of dark chocolate—make up this well-heeled dessert.
—Christopher Michel, Country Living, 5 Sep. 2023
This lightweight nighttime moisturizer absorbs in seconds, as if your skin is quite literally drinking up all that hydrating goodness (from the ceramides and hyaluronic acid blend).
—Lindsay Colameo, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
Shred your pork and serve it on buns with slaw, or even use it as a taco filling.
41
Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone
In this recipe for Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone Soup, all the green garden goodness that spring has to offer finds its way into one warming bowl.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2023
Thank goodness, Moving Feedback is here to the rescue.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2023
Put the cameras away and do something out of the goodness of your heart.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2023
For Sheila Heti, this resistance to goodness takes the form of artistic introspection, which busier people tend to judge as selfish and idle.
—Adam Kirsch, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
For Charles Burnett, the writer-director of this exchange from his 1990 film To Sleep with Anger, the moment is one of reciprocal innocence, goodness recognizing goodness.
—Hazlitt, 9 Aug. 2023
See More
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Millionaires' Shortbread Three layers of rich goodness—buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and a thick layer of dark chocolate—make up this well-heeled dessert.
—Christopher Michel, Country Living, 5 Sep. 2023
This lightweight nighttime moisturizer absorbs in seconds, as if your skin is quite literally drinking up all that hydrating goodness (from the ceramides and hyaluronic acid blend).
—Lindsay Colameo, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
Shred your pork and serve it on buns with slaw, or even use it as a taco filling.
41
Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone
In this recipe for Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone Soup, all the green garden goodness that spring has to offer finds its way into one warming bowl.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2023
Thank goodness, Moving Feedback is here to the rescue.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2023
Put the cameras away and do something out of the goodness of your heart.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2023
For Sheila Heti, this resistance to goodness takes the form of artistic introspection, which busier people tend to judge as selfish and idle.
—Adam Kirsch, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
For Charles Burnett, the writer-director of this exchange from his 1990 film To Sleep with Anger, the moment is one of reciprocal innocence, goodness recognizing goodness.
—Hazlitt, 9 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goodness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of goodness was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing goodness
Dictionary Entries Near goodness
Cite this Entry
“Goodness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goodness. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on goodness
Nglish: Translation of goodness for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of goodness for Arabic Speakers
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