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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

goodlier comparative, goodlier comparative, goodliest superlative, goodliest superlative

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They had saved a _____ sum by the time they retired.

Etymology

From Old English gōdlīċ, formed from "good" plus the adjective suffix "-ly."

Origin: Old English

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.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial