goodness Hear it!

goodness definition

good·ness (go̵od′nis)

noun

  1. the state or quality of being good; specif.,
    1. virtue; excellence
    2. kindness; generosity; benevolence
  2. the best part, essence, or valuable element of a thing

Etymology: ME goodnesse < OE godnes

interjection

used to express surprise or wonder: orig. a euphemism for God: also used in phrases for goodness' sake!

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.