Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "good-will" []

  • Benevolence; friendly disposition; cheerful acquiescence: now usually, and properly, as two words. See will. (noun)
  • The degree of favor enjoyed by a particular shop or trade as indicated by its custom. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

Use "good-will" in a sentence
  • "Together, the decisions represent what Sunni officials called good-will gestures but notably did not come after any public concessions from the Shiite-dominated central government, which is led by Prime Minister"
  • "Factor to set a price, he coolly placed it at five hundred blankets, ten guns, fifty pounds of tobacco, twenty scarlet cloths, ten bottles of rum, a music-box, and lastly the good-will and best offices of the Factor, with a place by his fire."
  • "After George W. Bush and his fanatical condemnation of the "axis of evil," Iran, naturally enough, wanted a good-will gesture from Obama."