Goodwill

Quick meaning: Goodwill is a noun meaning A favorably disposed attitude toward someone or something.

Meaning

A favorably disposed attitude toward someone or something.

More Meanings

1. (countable, uncommon, usually capitalized, Canada, US) A thrift shop.
2. To voluntarily provide or cover (some or all of) the cost of something to maintain goodwill.
3. (accounting) 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.
4. (business, trade unionism) The willingness of a worker to perform activities not strictly within the scope of the employment contract and not just work to rule.
5. (business) 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.

Example Sentences

the company goodwilled the cost of the repairs

Buy from goodwills, garage sales, friends, and neighbors. Choose beautiful, functional, durable items made by craftspeople.

As Denning MR said in Secretary of State for Employment v ASLEF (No. 2) (1972): 'a man is not bound to do more for his employer than his contract requires. He can withdraw his goodwill if he pleases.'

The downside of this cost-saving strategy was that the train service could only be covered by goodwill. Whenever there was a spat between ASLEF and management - regardless of cause - the withdrawal of this goodwill became a stick with which unions could beat management.

Word Forms

• goodwills
• good-will
• goodwilling
• goodwilled

Synonyms for goodwill

Depending on context, synonyms include benevolence, good will, grace.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include good will, grace, kindness, caring, benevolence, friendly.

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