goodness
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of GOODNESS
[noncount]
1
:
the quality or state of being good: such as
a
:
the quality or state of being kind, honest, generous, helpful, etc.
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I believe there is (some) goodness in everyone.
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Even if you don't agree, at least have the goodness to be polite!
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She agreed to help him out of the goodness of her heart. [=because she is a kind and generous person]
b
:
the quality or state of being useful or effective
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If you cook the vegetables too long, they'll lose all their (natural) goodness.
2
— used to express mild surprise or shock
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Goodness, it's hot out today!
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Goodness (only) knows how it happened.
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“Did you stop them?” “Goodness (gracious), no!”
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Oh, my goodness!
◊ People use I swear to goodness, I hope to goodness, or I wish to goodness to add force to a statement.
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I wish to goodness that you would hurry up!
for goodness' sake
— used to express surprise or annoyance
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Will you hurry up, for goodness' sake?
