goodwill

/ˌˈgʊdˌwɪl/

/ˈgʊdwɪl/

Other forms: goodwills

Use the noun goodwill just the way it sounds, to describe friendliness or helpfulness. Giving your subway seat to an elderly man is a gesture of goodwill.

Goodwill can also be spelled as two separate words, good will, but either way it joins good, from the Old English word for "virtuous," god, and will, in Old English willa, or "wish." So when you wish someone well — when you feel friendly or compassionate — you have goodwill toward that person.

Definitions of goodwill

1. noun

   a disposition to kindness and compassion
   synonyms: good will, grace

   type of:

   good nature

   a cheerful, obliging disposition
2. noun

   the friendly hope that something will succeed
   synonyms: good will

   type of:

   friendliness

   a feeling of liking for another person; enjoyment in their company
3. noun

   (accounting) an intangible asset valued according to the advantage or reputation a business has acquired (over and above its tangible assets)
   synonyms: good will

   type of:

   intangible, intangible asset

   assets that are saleable though not material or physical