What does "goodwill" mean?
A favorably disposed attitude toward someone or something.
Goodwill
/ɡʊdˈwɪl/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A favorably disposed attitude toward someone or something.
- Grammar: goodwill is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abetment, acquiescence, acquired value, advocacy.
- Useful contrasts: animosity, animus, grudge.
- Usage evidence: Your goodwill sank into my heart.
How to use "goodwill"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "goodwill" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "goodwill" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "goodwill" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "goodwill" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "goodwill" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abetment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "goodwill", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A favorably disposed attitude toward someone or something. uncountable, usually
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of goodwill (“a thrift shop”). alt-of
- 3 a disposition to kindness and compassion wordnet
- 4 The value of a business entity not directly attributable to its tangible assets and liabilities, deriving from factors such as consumer loyalty to the brand. uncountable, usually
- 5 the friendly hope that something will succeed wordnet
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 The ability of an individual or business to exert influence within a community, club, market or another type of group, without having to resort to the use of an asset (such as money or property), either directly or by the creation of a lien. uncountable, usually
- 7 (accounting) an intangible asset valued according to the advantage or reputation a business has acquired (over and above its tangible assets) wordnet
- 8 The willingness of a worker to perform activities not strictly within the scope of the employment contract and not just work to rule. uncountable, usually
"As Denning MR said in Secretary of State for Employment v ASLEF (No. 2) (1972): 'a man is not bound to do more for his employer than his contract requires. He can withdraw his goodwill if he pleases.'"
- 9 A thrift shop. Canada, US, capitalized, countable, uncommon, usually
"Buy from goodwills, garage sales, friends, and neighbors. Choose beautiful, functional, durable items made by craftspeople."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Your goodwill sank into my heart."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "goodwill"?
Common synonyms include: abetment, acquiescence, acquired value, advocacy, aegis, affection.
How do you use "goodwill" in a sentence?
Your goodwill sank into my heart.
How do you pronounce "goodwill"?
Pronounced /ɡʊdˈwɪl/.
Etymology
From Middle English *goodwille, good wille (“goodwill”), perhaps from Old English *gōdwille (“goodwill”); compare Old English gōdwillende (“well-pleased”); also Scots guidwilly, guidwillie (“displaying goodwill”), equivalent to good + will. Cognate with Scots guidwill (“goodwill”), Middle Low German gūtwille (“goodwill”), Old High German guotwilligi (“goodwill”), Old Danish godvilje (“goodwill”), Icelandic góðvilji, góðvili (“goodwill”), Icelandic góðvild (“goodness”). The sense "thrift shop" is a genericized trademark of a US chain of such shops.