The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
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 — 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
