Definition of GOODWILL

goodwill

Meanings

Plural: goodwills

Noun

  • (accounting) an intangible asset valued according to the advantage or reputation a business has acquired (over and above its tangible assets)
  • the friendly hope that something will succeed
  • a disposition to kindness and compassion
  • A favorably disposed attitude toward someone or something.
  • 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.
  • A concept used to refer to 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.
  • The willingness of a worker to perform activities not strictly within the scope of the employment contract and not just work to rule.
  • A thrift shop.

Origin / 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.

Synonyms

good will, grace

Antonyms

ill will

Scrabble Score: 13

goodwill is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
goodwill is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
goodwill is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

goodwill is a valid Words With Friends word