goodness

Pluralgoodnesses (some meanings)

1. 1
   noununcountable

   The quality of being kind, honest, and morally good.

   Like the warm feeling you get when someone helps you and wants nothing back.

   People admired the goodness in her heart.

   His goodness showed in the way he treated total strangers.

   Similarkindness, virtue, decency, integrity, benevolence

   Oppositewickedness, evil, badness

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   The healthy, useful part of food that is good for your body.

   Steaming vegetables keeps more of their goodness.

   Whole grains hold on to more goodness than white bread.

   Similarnourishment, nutrients, nutrition

3. 3
   nouneuphemisticuncountable

   A polite stand-in for the word God, used in everyday exclamations.

   Thank goodness you got home safely before the storm.

   Goodness only knows how they finished the project on time.

   Similarheaven, God

   Note
4. 4
   interjectionabbreviationclipping

   Short form of goodness me or various similar exclamations such as goodness gracious. Say it when something surprises you.

   Goodness, what a mess you've made in the kitchen!

   Oh, goodness, I completely lost track of the time.

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The moral good and virtue that Christian faith calls people to live by.

   The sermon spoke about goodness and choosing the right path.

   She believed real goodness came from following her faith every day.

   Similarvirtue, righteousness, holiness

   Oppositewickedness, evil

   Note

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