What does goodliness mean?
Goodliness is a formal, literary noun meaning the quality of being good, especially moral goodness or virtue. It can also carry a broader sense of excellence or superior quality, though this use is more archaic and often appears in praise of a person, a principle, or an ideal. In modern English, the word is uncommon, but its older flavour can make a sentence sound elevated, traditional, or deliberately solemn. “Her goodliness” is not simply a synonym for “her kindness”; it suggests a settled quality of character, while “the goodliness of the day” may suggest pleasantness or beneficial conditions. Goodliness is related in form to goodness, but it tends to sound more formal and more concerned with virtue as a defining trait. It is also easily confused with godliness, which denotes religious devotion or faithfulness to God rather than goodness in general.
nounThe quality of being good, especially of moral character; virtue or excellence.
- The quality of being good, especially moral goodness or virtue.
- Excellence or a high standard of quality, in a literary or archaic sense.
"Her quiet goodliness was evident in the way she treated everyone."
"Her quiet goodliness was evident in the way she treated everyone."
"The old poem praised the knight's goodliness and generosity."
Rare; the word is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The records describe different forms of goodlinesses in the tradition."
Goodliness is the elevated, old-fashioned way of saying that goodness can be a character trait, not just a passing mood.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of goodliness
Goodliness is a Middle English formation built on Old English gōd, meaning “good,” with the suffix -liness, which forms abstract nouns expressing quality or condition. The related words good, goodly, and goodness share the same basic etymological foundation, although goodliness has a more explicitly literary and evaluative character. Its precise historical development is not certain, but the word has long been associated with moral excellence in English.
How goodliness is actually used
Formal, literary, and somewhat dated. It often implies moral virtue or excellence rather than ordinary pleasantness or kindness.
Easily confused with goodliness
Goodliness means goodness, virtue, or excellence in general, whereas godliness specifically refers to devotion to God or faithfulness in religious matters.