goodwill

/ˌɡʊdˈwɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɡʊdˈwɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌgu̇d-ˈwil/ (ame, mw)

goodwill — 名詞

1. a feeling of kindness, friendliness, and support that people show toward each ot

1.名詞B2
釋義

善意

對他人友善關懷的態度

a feeling of kindness, friendliness, and support that people show toward each other, toward a group, or toward a cause they believe in

例句

The neighbours showed great goodwill toward the family whose house had burned down.

鄰居們對那戶房子被燒燬的家庭展現了極大的善意。

collocation: show goodwill toward [someone]

As a gesture of goodwill, the firm donated part of its profits to local schools.

作為善意的表示，該公司將部分利潤捐給了當地的學校。

collocation: gesture of goodwill

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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

❌The manager had goodwill to help the new staff.
✅The manager showed goodwill by helping the new staff.
💡'goodwill' is a noun, not a verb. Use verbs like 'show', 'express', or 'demonstrate' with it.
❌There was a goodwill between the two teams.
✅There was goodwill between the two teams.
💡'goodwill' is uncountable and does not take an article.

2. the value of a company that goes beyond its physical assets and cash, based on t

2.名詞B2
釋義

商譽

企業因信譽獲得的無形資產價值

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.

例句

Tendai's purchase of the cafe included the goodwill from the original owner's loyal customers.

Tendai 收購那家咖啡廳的價格中，包含了原忠實顧客所帶來的商譽。

goodwill included in a business purchase price

A strong brand name is one of the main factors that builds a company's goodwill.

強勢的品牌名稱是建立公司商譽的主要因素之一。

同義詞
  • 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

❌The company has a lot of goodwill because it is nice.
✅The company's goodwill reflects the value of its reputation and customer loyalty.
💡In business, goodwill is a specific financial term, not just a friendly feeling.
❌We paid goodwill for the business.
✅We paid a premium for the business that included goodwill.
💡The payment is for the business; goodwill is part of what you get.

3. short for Goodwill Industries. This US nonprofit organisation gathers second-han

3.名詞
釋義

慈善二手商店

美國 Goodwill 慈善二手商店

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.

例句

Eli dropped off three bags of old clothes at the local Goodwill store.

Eli 把三大袋舊衣服送到了當地的 Goodwill 商店。

Élise found a vintage lamp at Goodwill for only five dollars.

Élise 在 Goodwill 只花了五美元就找到了一盞復古檯燈。

Goodwill as a thrift store for bargains

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.

常見錯誤

❌I bought this shirt at a goodwill shop.' (lowercase)
✅I bought this shirt at Goodwill.
💡When meaning the specific charity, it is a proper noun and always capitalised.
❌Goodwill is a charity that sells things.
✅Goodwill is a nonprofit that funds job training by selling donated goods.
💡The core mission is employment services, not just selling items.