1
: the quality or state of being good
There's goodness in everyone.
They agreed to help out of the goodness of their hearts. [=because they are good and kind people]
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
the goodness of the vegetables
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
Even more goodness to check out!
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Safe to say, the Korean beauty craze isn’t going anywhere, and thank goodness for that.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025
Thank goodness for state governments.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
But goodness, a 38-point home loss to Santa Clara suggests an endlessly long season — another endlessly long season — awaits the Beavers.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for goodness
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Safe to say, the Korean beauty craze isn’t going anywhere, and thank goodness for that.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025
Thank goodness for state governments.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
But goodness, a 38-point home loss to Santa Clara suggests an endlessly long season — another endlessly long season — awaits the Beavers.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for goodness
Cite this Entry
“Goodness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goodness. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
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