adj
goodly
GUUD-lee
Goodly (adj) means Considerably large or sufficient in amount. Example: “They had saved a goodly sum by the time they retired.”
adj
1
Considerably large or sufficient in amount.
"They had saved a goodly sum by the time they retired."
2
Pleasing in appearance; attractive.
"The old writer described a goodly young man arriving at the inn."
How to use goodly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word meaning either "attractive" or "a fairly large amount."
When to use it
Sounds literary or archaic in modern English; mostly seen in older texts or deliberately old-fashioned writing.
Common pairings
a goodly number
a goodly sum
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Word forms
- Comparative
- goodlier
- Superlative
- goodliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They had saved a _____ sum by the time they retired.
Etymology
From Old English gōdlīċ, formed from "good" plus the adjective suffix "-ly."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for goodly
See all rhymes for goodly →Frequently asked questions
What does “goodly” mean?
The word “goodly” means considerably large or sufficient in amount. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word meaning either "attractive" or "a fairly large amount.".
How do you pronounce “goodly”?
“Goodly” is pronounced GUUD-lee (/ˈɡʊdli/ in IPA).
How do you use “goodly” in a sentence?
Here is “goodly” used in a sentence: “They had saved a goodly sum by the time they retired.”
What part of speech is “goodly”?
“Goodly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “goodly” come from?
The word “goodly” comes from Old English. From Old English gōdlīċ, formed from "good" plus the adjective suffix "-ly.".
How many meanings does “goodly” have?
“Goodly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: considerably large or sufficient in amount.
