Goodwill — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌgu̇d-ˈwil/ good·will

Meaning & Definition of Goodwill

Goodwill (noun)

  1. a kindly feeling of approval and support, benevolent interest or concern
  2. the favor or advantage that a business has acquired especially through its brands and its good reputation
  3. the value of projected earnings increases of a business especially as part of its purchase price

Goodwill (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. kindly concern, interest, or support

    "the long tradition of goodwill that exists between the United States and Canada"

    similar: amity, benevolence, brotherhood, charity, cordiality, cordialness, fellowship, friendliness, friendship, gemütlichkeit, good-fellowship, kindliness, neighborliness
    related: bonhomie, camaraderie, collegiality, community, companionship, company, comradeship, civility, comity, concord, harmony, rapport, rapprochement, generosity, affinity, communion, empathy, kindness, sympathy, tolerance, altruism, philanthropy, selflessness, unselfishness
    opposite: ill will, malevolence, venom
    near: disfavor, intolerance, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hate, hatred, hostility, incivility, malice, rancor, belligerency, quarrelsomeness, querulousness

  2. cheerful readiness to do something

    "took on the task of coaching the soccer team with lots of zeal and goodwill"

    similar: alacrity, amenability, gameness, obligingness, willingness
    related: celerity, quickness, rapidity, speed, speediness, swiftness, dispatch, promptitude, promptness, ardor, avidity, eagerness, enthusiasm, exuberance, fervor, gusto, keenness, relish, zeal, zest, agreeableness, geniality, good-naturedness, heartiness, warmth, open-mindedness, receptiveness, receptivity, responsiveness
    near: leisureliness, pokiness, slowness, sluggishness, apathy, disinterestedness, halfheartedness, indifference, lukewarmness, perfunctoriness, delay, dilatoriness, doubt, equivocation, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, reluctance, reservation, reticence, uncertainty, vacillation, disinclination, indisposition, recalcitrance, resistance, unwillingness, antipathy, averseness, aversion

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Goodwill

The most common words with a similar meaning to Goodwill:

amity, benevolence, brotherhood, charity, cordiality, cordialness, fellowship, friendliness, friendship, gemütlichkeit, good-fellowship, kindliness, neighborliness, alacrity, amenability, gameness, obligingness, willingness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Goodwill

Words with the opposite meaning of Goodwill:

ill will, malevolence, venom

Related Words for Goodwill

bonhomie, camaraderie, collegiality, community, companionship, company, comradeship, civility, comity, concord, harmony, rapport, rapprochement, generosity, affinity, communion, empathy, kindness, sympathy, tolerance, altruism, philanthropy, selflessness, unselfishness, celerity, quickness, rapidity, speed, speediness, swiftness

Near Antonyms of Goodwill

disfavor, intolerance, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hate, hatred, hostility, incivility, malice, rancor, belligerency, quarrelsomeness, querulousness, leisureliness, pokiness, slowness, sluggishness, apathy, disinterestedness, halfheartedness, indifference, lukewarmness, perfunctoriness, delay, dilatoriness, doubt, equivocation, hesitance

Word Forms of Goodwill

Derived words: good-willed (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Goodwill

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Goodwill

goodwill ambassador

Frequently Asked Questions about Goodwill

What does "Goodwill" mean?

"Goodwill" means a kindly feeling of approval and support, benevolent interest or concern. As a noun, it is defined as: a kindly feeling of approval and support, benevolent interest or concern. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Goodwill"?

Other words for "Goodwill" include amity, benevolence, brotherhood, charity, cordiality, cordialness, fellowship and friendliness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Goodwill" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Goodwill"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Goodwill". Common alternatives include amity, benevolence, brotherhood, charity, cordiality, cordialness, fellowship, friendliness, friendship and gemütlichkeit.

What is the opposite of "Goodwill"?

Antonyms of "Goodwill" include ill will, malevolence and venom. Near antonyms include disfavor, intolerance, animosity and antagonism.

How do you use "Goodwill" in a sentence?

Examples of "Goodwill" in a sentence: "the long tradition of goodwill that exists between the United States and Canada"; "took on the task of coaching the soccer team with lots of zeal and goodwill".

Is "Goodwill" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Goodwill" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Goodwill"?

"Goodwill" is pronounced /ˌgu̇d-ˈwil/ and divided into syllables as good·will.

What is the origin of the word "Goodwill"?

First known use: before 12th century.