/ ˈgʊdnəs; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
the quality of being good :
the essential goodness of human nature
evidence of God's goodness
( formal )
At least have the goodness (= good manners) to look at me when I'm talking to you.
➡ note at good
2.
the part of sth that has a useful effect on sb/sth, especially sb's health :
These vegetables have had all the goodness boiled out of them.
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IDIOMS
- Goodness! | Goodness me! | My goodness! | Goodness gracious!
- out of the goodness of your heart
—more at god , honest , know verb , thank
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English gōdnes (see good , -ness ).