goodwill
UK[ɡʊdˈwɪl]US[ˈɡʊdˌwɪl]
n
A friendly or helpful feeling towards other people or countries.
n
The value of a business's good reputation and customer loyalty, considered as an asset.
Morpheme Breakdown
good
will
good
positive
will
intent, desire
Etymology
The compound "goodwill" is a straightforward combination of two fundamental Germanic words, "good" and "will," which entered modern English via Old English. Its literal meaning, "a good or benevolent intention," has been preserved since its earliest uses. Over time, this core concept of benevolent feeling was extended into the commercial and legal spheres, where it came to denote the intangible but valuable asset of a business's reputation and established customer relationships. This evolution demonstrates how a concrete emotional concept can acquire a specific, abstract economic meaning.
Analysis
Structure: good (positive) + will (intent, desire)
- good: From Old English gōd, meaning "virtuous, desirable, valid." It functions as an adjective root describing a positive quality.
- will: From Old English will(a), meaning "wish, desire, determination." It functions as a noun root indicating intention or volition.
Examples
The two nations signed the treaty in a spirit of mutual goodwill.
The company's strong brand loyalty represents a significant amount of goodwill on its balance sheet.
He volunteered his time out of pure goodwill, expecting nothing in return.