goodwill
/ˌɡʊdˈwɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɡʊdˈwɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌgu̇d-ˈwil/ (ame, mw)
goodwill — noun
1. a feeling of kindness, friendliness, and support that people show toward each ot
a feeling of kindness, friendliness, and support that people show toward each other, toward a group, or toward a cause they believe in
The neighbours showed great goodwill toward the family whose house had burned down.
collocation: show goodwill toward [someone]
As a gesture of goodwill, the firm donated part of its profits to local schools.
collocation: gesture of goodwill
Eri felt goodwill toward strangers after the city united to help flood victims.
The peace talks were held in goodwill, with both sides eager to agree.
Dario offered to help for free, purely out of goodwill.
- friendliness
more casual and interpersonal; focuses on warmth in personal interaction
- benevolence
more formal and implies a generous, charitable attitude; less common in everyday speech
- kindness
broader term covering specific helpful acts; goodwill is more about overall attitude than specific actions
- generosity
focuses on giving or sharing; goodwill can exist without material giving
- hostility
strong active opposition or unfriendliness
- ill will
the direct opposite; deliberate unfriendly or hostile feelings
- resentment
bitter indignation at unfair treatment, which blocks goodwill
用法筆記
Common in fixed phrases such as 'gesture of goodwill', 'atmosphere of goodwill', 'out of goodwill', and 'show goodwill toward'. Uncountable — never used as 'a goodwill' or 'goodwills'.
常見錯誤
2. the value of a company that goes beyond its physical assets and cash, based on t
the value of a company that goes beyond its physical assets and cash, based on things like its reputation, customer loyalty, brand recognition, and employee relationships. In financial reports, this value appears separately from equipment, buildings, or cash on hand.
Tendai's purchase of the cafe included the goodwill from the original owner's loyal customers.
goodwill included in a business purchase price
A strong brand name is one of the main factors that builds a company's goodwill.
Lisa's accounting team calculated the company's goodwill at over two million dollars.
Stefan worried the product recall would damage the goodwill built with clients over a decade.
A larger firm often pays extra for a smaller company's goodwill when buying it out.
- reputation
more general; goodwill specifically means the financial value of that reputation
- brand value
overlaps but focuses specifically on brand name equity; goodwill is broader and includes customer loyalty and staff relations
- intangible assets
the broader accounting category that includes goodwill alongside patents, trademarks, and copyrights
用法筆記
Primarily used in business, finance, and accounting contexts. In financial statements, goodwill is listed as an intangible asset on the balance sheet. Unlike sense 1, this sense does NOT take the phrase 'out of goodwill' or 'as a gesture of goodwill'.
常見錯誤
3. short for Goodwill Industries. This US nonprofit organisation gathers second-han
short for Goodwill Industries. This US nonprofit organisation gathers second-hand clothing, furniture, and household items, then offers these goods at affordable prices through charity shops. The income funds job training and employment programmes for people who have difficulty finding work.
Eli dropped off three bags of old clothes at the local Goodwill store.
Élise found a vintage lamp at Goodwill for only five dollars.
Goodwill as a thrift store for bargains
The Goodwill training programme helped Esme learn the skills required for an office job.
Caio's family donates household items to Goodwill every year before moving to a new home.
用法筆記
Always capitalised as 'Goodwill' when referring to the organisation. In American English, 'Goodwill' alone (without 'store') can refer either to the organisation itself or to a specific thrift shop location ('I found it at Goodwill'). Not commonly used in British English.