do-gooder

[ doo-good-er, -good- ]

noun

1. a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.

do-gooder

noun

1. informal.
   a well-intentioned person, esp a naive or impractical one

Derived Forms

• ˌdo-ˈgooding, nounadjective
• ˌdo-ˈgoodery, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of do-gooder¹

1925–30, Americanism; do good + -er ¹

Example Sentences

When they thought about Lewis, what struck the players most was that he never acted like a do-gooder.

From The Daily Beast

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden may just be a naive do-gooder in over his head.

From The Daily Beast

She appears to be the perfectly pleasant, party-planning, sociable do-gooder.

From The Daily Beast

To hear her speak is to hear that passion combined with the heart of a do-gooder and the simplicity of a child.

From The Daily Beast

Leigh Anne may dress (and decorate) tackily, but she is unquestionably a strong-minded and moral do-gooder.

From The Daily Beast

You know, I often attach myself to the elderly do-gooder type like my father was.

From Project Gutenberg